I really loved the items in this box. I wound up keeping the black top, I would have kept the maxi dress because the color is gorgeous and it felt like heaven, but I didn’t like the elastic middle.
The shirt was so fun and I love the color, I just didn’t like how tight it was in the arms. I styled it with a necklace I bought from Caroline G.
Bracelets are from Kohl’s.
This was the top I kept. I love how loose it is and I love that it can be dressed up for a nice night out or worn casual. I especially love the lace and see through part of the top. I think it adds the perfect touch to the shirt.
Which one is your favorite?
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How to spruce up the tips of your nails
Step one: Place the tape where your tips end on one side and then take it across to where it ends on the other side. Try and keep it as straight as possible.
Don’t worry about getting paint on the tape.
Step four – Use a cotton swab and carefully clean up any paint that got under your nails or on your fingers.
Step five – Place the nail decals along the edge of the paint on your nails.
I also got these cute decals that I can’t wait to play around with. You can purchase the nail decals here and use code LLL0VE20 to get 20% off your order!
That’s it! Very easy and it makes your nails look a lot more cute! Even my husband said he likes them! Woo Hoo!
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Depression really does hurt
The thing about depression though, is that it’s like fog. It slowly starts to creep in. It’s small things at first that you may not even notice until more things start happening and then it hits you all at once and you just can’t believe it. I started noticing that I was tired a lot. Like, annoyingly tired and it was getting on my nerves. I noticed my emotions were weird. I either felt like flying off the handle or crying over nothing. I noticed my lack of appetite. Everything just seemed to be changing and then I found myself engulfed in it. I found myself not wanting to do anything. I didn’t want to blog. I didn’t want to read or write. I didn’t want to go anywhere. I wanted to stay in my PJs and curl up on the couch. I noticed that I had to force myself to clean. I had to force myself to get things ready for Jay’s birthday party. I had to force myself to go to the grocery store. I had to force myself to get ready for the day.
I’ve found myself just wanting to cry. I am fighting back tears several times a day. I feel an utter sadness. A sadness that just surrounds me and takes over. My life has changed and I don’t know if it will ever be back to normal. I don’t know if I will ever be myself again before the back pain started and I think that is what caused the depression, as well as not being able to do all the things I listed above. I have mini panic attacks when I think about the fact that I’m twenty five years old and I begin to wonder if this is what the rest of my life is going to be like. Monthly doctor visits, medicine, pain, having to fight through the pain to do the things I want to do. I wonder if this is how it’s going to be and it scares the living shit out of me. I never wanted to be depressed. I’m the type of person that looks for the Bright side of everything. Even when my back first got messed up, I was counting my blessings instead of being sad and now, I’m still counting them, but the pain of depression surrounds me right now.
This life is hard. Much harder than I ever imagined. I know I’ll get through this. I know I’ll pull myself out of this mess whether my back gets fixed or not, it’s just going to take time and I’m trying. I know I’ve got the lord’s strength to help me. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
I was talking to my best friend about this. I told her I feel like I’m failing at life right now. EVERYTHING is slipping through the cracks because of this depression. She informed that I was in fact “not failing and that life is hard and it took courage to seek help instead of ignore the problem.” I’m trying to believe her. When I told her that I was pissed off at myself for being depressed because there are worse things to be depressed about, she told me “that was bullshit. That people who have never been depressed use that as a cop-out.” She gave me encouraging words and I love her for that. She knew the right things to say and I love knowing she is here for me. Thank you Elle, from the bottom of my heart. To all of you who commented on my IG – thank you so much. All your words touched my heart and the out pouring of love and support has made me cry. I’m so thankful for each of you.
If I don’t blog as much or comment as much. If I seem distant or not myself. Just know I’m here and I’m just trying to pull myself out of this and get back to me.
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How can I say no?
Kage, when you wrap your little arms around me after I’ve read to y’all before bedtime and you ask me if I can lay down with you and watch a movie, how can I tell you no?
When I’m washing dishes, a simple mundane task to me and y’all ask to help put away the dishes with a fun light in your eyes, how can I tell y’all no?
Jay, when you look at me with those beautiful blue/green eyes and ask me to come eat lunch with you at school and you tell me, “I promise I won’t cry when you have to leave.” How can I tell you no?
When the weather is perfectly beautiful and the sun is beckoning us outside and y’all ask me to take you to the park, how can I say no?
After I’ve tucked y’all into bed at night and y’all call me back into the room for one more kiss and hug, when you randomly run up to me and give me a kiss & hug and pull back only to lean back in and ask for one more, how could I possibly tell you no?
When it’s been a long day and I’m yawning through the bedtime story, after I whisper “the end” like I do every night, when one of you looks up at me with those big beautiful eyes you both have and ask for, “One more story momma.” How can I tell you no?
Jay, when you ask to put on your new clothes and show me tricks you figured out all by yourself on your skateboard, how could I ever look at you and tell you no?
Kage, when you ask me to stop reading so you can show me how you can pick the petals off of a flower, your little fingers set on the task before you, how can I tell you no?
Jay, when you run up to me, grab my hand and drag me into the kitchen because you just have to show me how proud you are of sorting your letters into colors on the fridge, how could I tell you no?
Kage, when you grab your little guitar and want to play me a song that isn’t really a song, but it’s perfect because you’re playing it for me, how could I possibly tell you no?
Kage, when you ask to cuddle with me on the couch after Jay has fallen asleep, you know I have things to do, but you want me to lay there with you and even sometimes be silly during those moments, how can I tell you no?
It’s simple, I can’t. I know one days those things above and so much more are going to be a distant memory as you get older and stop asking me to do those things, so for now, when it comes to certain things, I just can’t tell y’all no.
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Do you rock to your own style?
Aztec Cardigan, jeans & earrings – Kohl’s // Undershirt – Threads and Souls Boutique
My outfits are slowly starting to change and I think they are changing for the better. You can probably even see it on my fashion pinterest board. The new things I’m pinning and on my Instagram with the new outfits I’m sharing. It’s fun and so freeing to know that I can wear what I want, what makes me feel good and what makes me feel happy and be comfortable doing so.
Shirt, maxi skirt, owl necklace & earrings – Kohl’s
Do you rock to your own style or do you try a stick with what you know people like?
I’m linking these fun outfits up to Sunday Funday!
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Little Mister Style Series #2
Let’s jump right in.. Jay was the only one who got in on the style post last week and let me just say, he loves knowing he is actually apart of something on my blog, that he is doing something because I asked him to be a part of it, instead of just the normal posts I write about him and his brother! I think it’s so sweet!
Kage’s shirt – Walmart I believe
Jay’s Shirt – Kohl’s
Both of their pants – Kohl’s
Both of their shoes – Walmart
Ready to link up? All that I ask is that you grab a button to add to your little mans style post! Grab the button below and link up!
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It’s easy to quit
A couple of weeks ago, for two weeks I tried out Yoga Meltdown by Jillian Micheals. I noticed that while I was sore and my back had a slight throb, it didn’t kill my back to do the workout. It didn’t make me want to curl up into a ball and die, but I was doubtful. While I did it for those two days, I didn’t give it my all and then I wound up hurting my back a little more, I’m not even sure how and so I stopped. I couldn’t keep going. I was too weak. I didn’t have the strength. I didn’t want to try and fail. And so, I quit. It’s so easy to quit isn’t it? To make up excuses of why you just can’t work out, why you don’t have time or why you don’t want to. It’s so easy to doubt yourself. You have that annoying internal debate with yourself. You pump yourself up. You’re determined. You’re ready to kick that workouts ass. Then the excuses come, I know, I’ve heard them all race through my mind and it’s easy to plop down on the couch with a book or your laptop or whatever and just say you’ll do it another day. It might be easy, but if you’re like me, the guilt curls in your belly like a fist and then spreads through you, but you tell yourself there is always tomorrow. Tomorrow you will do better, tomorrow you will try, but again you don’t.
Today was a busy day. One of those days where as soon as my feet hit the floor I’m going non stop. It was filled with making heart hand prints with twenty kindergartners {something I volunteered to do}, it was filled with an hour spent watching Jay in a school rodeo. It was filled with laundry and cleaning. Giggles and laughs during the brief moments Kage and I were home during the day while Jay was at school. I had a doctors appointment and then got stuck in traffic. I was supposed to go back up to the school for a third time to have lunch with Jay, but I didn’t make it in time and I felt horrible. I had told him though, that I might not be able to make it back in time. There was school pickup where Jay assured me he wasn’t upset. It was full of more giggles, laughs and cleaning after we got home. There was dinner and homework and bedtime. As we were working on flashcards, my mind wandered. We still had homework to finish, reading and bedtime to do. I needed to start another load of laundry and pick up the living room. I needed to write a blog post and interact on social media since I skipped a day. So why working out popped into my head, I have no idea, but there it was. You have to try again. You can do this Cassie. You ARE strong enough. I smiled as Jay kept going through his words, Yes, yes I am strong enough I mentally told myself.
Then it came, after I laid my little ones down, my mind started filling with excuses. I’m too tired. I still have too much to do. I’m just going to fail again. It would have been so easy to just pick up the living room and then sit down to write a blog post, but I overcame those excuses. I turned on the DVD and I got to it and you know what. I pushed myself to the max. When my legs and arms were shaking when I was in a certain position, I just kept repeating in my head, You are strong Cassie. You CAN do this. Don’t quit now. And I finished strong. I know for awhile it will be a daily battle to talk myself into working out, which pisses me off more than I can put into words because I used to be that girl. I use to be that girl who laced up her shoes and hit the pavement. I used to be that girl who went to the gym. I used to be that girl that ended her night with a workout and I enjoyed it, but I know I’m not that girl anymore. My back has changed me, it has changed a part of who I am and now I struggle, but I want that girl back and I’m determined to keep going. To keep trying. To keep telling myself I can do it because eventually I won’t have to tell myself, eventually it will become natural again and eventually, I will have the strength in my body that I want. The strength that my back problems robbed from me. I will never be that same girl again, I will be better because I know what it’s like to be weak, I know what it’s like to hurt and feel pain worse than I could imagine on a regular basis, because I know what it’s like for something to change me.
It’s always easy to quit, it’s hard to not give into the excuses, but you can do it. No matter how hard it is.
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Little Mister Style
Today, it’s just Jay. Kage wasn’t in the picture taking mood and I love that Jay was and how he had no problem letting his cute little personality come through!
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I threw caution {or cleaning} to the wind
I was either snapping pictures, watching them play, drawing with them or reading. The sun was so warm and it felt so strange and out of place among the dead grass and trees, among the piles of leaves still in our yard. It may have felt out of place, but it was welcome. For once we didn’t have to bundle up in our outdoor gear to venture outdoors only to still be cold. No, we sat freely, feeling that sun through the light long sleeve shirts we wore. We were out there for hours. I kept telling myself I needed to go back inside, to start tackling my cleaning to-do list because it needed to get done and I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t pull my boys away from the freedom of drawing on the driveway or running as fast as they could through the yard. I couldn’t pull myself away from the warmth and relaxation.
I may have had a busy night catching up on all the cleaning I had to do, but It was so completely worth it.
Have you had a warm day during winter this year? Do you ever just set aside whatever needs to get done because the sun just beckons you outside?
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Romantic Valentines Day Date Night Basket #ad
Since I have been in a Valentines/love mood, I’m going to go ahead and continue that today! 
You can read about A time for love where we had a wonderful date night, Valentine Date night outfits and the Valentine banner I made. Today, I am going to share something super fun and super romantic that your husband is sure to love. Before I go into the details, let me just say, my husband is not the overly romantic type. I don’t randomly get surprised with flowers. He doesn’t light candles all over the place before.. well you know. I, however, am extremely romantic down to the bones. I adore flowers, candles, soft music, dim lights, etc. If it’s romantic than I probably like it. Every Valentine’s Day I wind up getting him something mushy gushy and even though he likes it, I know it’s not really him. So, this year I wanted to do something different. I still wanted to have that romance that I crave, but I wanted it to be fun for him too. Hubby is all about fun and funny and I wanted to incorporate that this year for our Valentine’s at home Date Night. Today, I am going to show you how I created a fun Valentine’s themed date night basket, as well as set the mood for a little romance!
I’ll show you up close details in a second, but I want you to just look at the above picture for a minute. This is a date night right at home after the kids are asleep. You don’t have to find a baby sitter and then be bummed when you don’t find one. You get to lay out a blanket, create a yummy dessert to eat together and enjoy the contents of your basket from the comfort of your own home and yet, it still screams utterly romantic and yet fun!
To do this fun & romantic at home date night you will need:
A basket
Some sort of red or pink cloth to lay in the basket
Wine or Champagne
Chocolates
Roses {fake or real}
A delicious dessert
A little lingerie
A funny card
K-Y Yours+Mine
Bonus: I’m going to tell you where you can get all this stuff and for cheap! This is not an expensive date night, but it is so worth it!
I saw this card in Row House 14’s shop and I just knew I had to get it for my husband. Not only would it go perfectly with the intimate things I had in the basket, I knew he would find it hilarious and that he would love it.
The K-Y Yours+Mine is from Walmart! It is only $14. Just read the back, you will see why you need it!
I was going to go with wine glasses, but I saw these adorable Valentine’s day cups and I thought they would be perfect and like I said, Hubby isn’t super romantic so wine glasses aren’t really his thing, but I knew we would both use these cups! The cups and the chocolate candy hearts inside of them are from The Dollar Tree.
I have never had this sparkling wine before, but when I was at Walmart getting the other items I needed, I spotted this down the Valentines isle and figured I would give it a try! I’ll let you know how it tastes because it sounds really good!
Okay let’s see. The lingerie is also from Walmart, it was too cute to pass up and I knew it was perfect to put in the basket! The dessert I made is this delicious Oreo Banana Pudding I found on pinterest! The white rose, the big chocolate heart, the basket and the red dish towel I used to put in the basket, are all from the Dollar Tree! See, I told you most of it is cheap which I love!
I think I put together the perfect basket for my husband and planned out a romantic and yet fun night for us for our at home date night!
*The K-Y Yours+Mine is in the special Date Night box pictured above!* It takes the not so anticipated at home date night to another level! Before you enjoy the intimacy with the K-Y Yours+Mine be sure to look on the side of the box as well as inside because there is coupons! One is for a free movie from VUDU to enjoy and the other is for a meal delivery service from Plated! Not only do you get to have an intimate date night at home, you can enjoy a free dinner and a movie during your at home date night as well! #CollectiveBias #KYdatenight
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