You had me at "hello" and lost me at "I don't like Harry Potter"

We all have that "something" that we obsess about, right?  Some people may obsess about clothes or food or maybe even cars.  My obsession is a little more nerdy than those things.... I obsess over all things Harry Potter.  I know, I know... witchcraft is a NO NO!  I'm not concocting poisonous potions or using any unforgivable curses with my wand (yes, I have one! But only for decoration)  I simply love the movies.  Where good triumphs over evil and puking pastilles are passed to people you don't like.  Hehe  Isn't it silly?  I'm 31 and I would watch the movies everyday if my family would let me.  My oldest children find it so funny and taunt me by saying "Harry Potter is dumb."  That kind of talk could lead to restriction.  Just Kidding, I'm not that overboard!  Maybe.

My family does something special together each night whether it be game night, YMCA night, or my favorite... movie night.  In which case, I beg and plead for them to choose Harry Potter.  It never works!  Well, this past year my husband and I purchased our first home together and I was super excited because it had an extra room upstairs for me to decorate any way I wanted.  What do you think I chose for my decor????? Come on, guys!!!!  Why Harry Potter, of course!  My very own "Harry Potter" tv room.  Y'all should see the ridiculous smile on my face every time I walk up those steps to that room.

I have searched the web and found some awesome sights that sell great, expensive-looking but cheaply priced, Harry Potter goods.  Pictures, figurines, knick knacks, scrolls, candle holders, etc.  Etsy also has some really neat pictures that I have purchased, framed and are already adorning my wall.  

My etsy purchases...

A lucky find at a thrift store in the outer banks...

  -you had me at "hello" and lost me at "I don't like Harry Potter" -author unknown... but so cool

Charms, Goblets, and KEDs

So my momma's birthday is about a week away and like every year I have the hardest time figuring out what to get her. I mean she has everything she could possibly want and if she didn't have it, my dad has probably already got it! Oh and every time I ask her what she wants she says, "oh, nothing." Seriously? There has to be one thing you want. We all want something!! And she hates when we spend too much on her. Come on, your my momma! I at least what to give you something decent!

Again this year was the same. I asked and got the same old answer! So I am left out on my own again to try and magically pick something to give her. Maybe Katy can hand over her Harry Potter wand!!

So here are my top three things...

OK the first is a wine glass charm from Pandora. My mother likes to have a glass of wine in the evenings when she gets off work and she loves her Pandora bracelet. The second is a funky goblet from Pier One. It has become a little tradition to find a neat wine glass to add to her collection. And finally a pair of nice workout shoes. 

For as long as I can remember my mother has never stepped into a gym. She has never liked to sweat or be out in the heat unless we were at the beach or a pool. So when my mother told me she was joining a gym, I about fell out of my chair. I was surprised, but in a good way. She isn't getting any younger and to keep up with her grand-babies she needs to do something. 

So I told you all of that to tell you that she has been working out in KEDs. Yes they still make those. I was just as shocked as you. So you are probably guessing why those shoes are on the list. She needs a good pair of work out shoes. KEDs are not gonna cut it! She could do worse before she does any good with those things on her feet. 

But in all honesty my momma is my best friend and I want to make sure that we get her something that she appreciates and knows that we put thought behind it. 

My momma on her last birthday! 

Have any of you ever had a hard time picking out a present for a loved one? Or waited until the last minute? Please tell me I am not the only one!!

I'm a Knitting Fool

It has only been a week since I first picked up a pair of knitting needles and I have already made two headbands/ ear-warmers, two infinity scarves, and I'm working on another.  I. Can't. Stop.  Everyone in my house keeps cracking jokes about how I'm an old lady, sitting in my chair, just knittin' away.... but I don't care because I love the full-filling feeling of making something.... from nothing.... or well, from yarn.

I watched, with much pride, as my daughters, Kaden and Maya, walked around adorning my creations on their heads.  And after completing my first infinity scarf and realizing that I had made it too small for myself, Maya, received her second hand-made gift from her momma.

Model #1 is Kaden Eliza -age 7

Model #2 is Maya Laren -age 5

Both girls wearing their "momma-made" infinity scarves

I plan on teaching my girls (and boys if they want to learn) how to knit.  I'm always looking for ways to bond with my loves.  I even mentioned to my husband that I would teach him.... He laughed!

Closet Raid!

This past weekend I had my hubs work party and one of my closest friends birthday party, so naturally I needed something new to wear. We don't really have the money for me to just go out a get something so I called Katy and asked if I could raid her closet. Of course she said yes! Well she had better anyway.

I honestly get tired of opening my closet and seeing the same clothes every. single. day! Please tell me I am not the only one to go through this??? It was nice to be able to look at clothes that I don't look at all the time. Anyway I found this shirt that I have never even seen her wear! Why I don't know, but it was super cute! I wore it to both parties...shh...don't tell anyone! But I dressed it up in different ways to make it feel like a new outfit both times. 

This is my favorite one! It definitely is feeling like spring here (so not normal) and I love breaking out a patterned scarf all year long.

Then I decided to see what would look good over the shirt and well umm everything did!!! 

I cant wait to see what Katy pairs it with!!! 

In My Sister's Shadow.... and completely fine with it

Does anyone else have a sister that is just plain.... AWESOME?  I do!  And it can be alittle intimidating, to be honest.  I mean, come on!  Do you have to be good at EVERYTHING?  Can you not be the best PTA president ever in the history of the universe?  Do you have to be an outstanding wife and serve your husband 5 stars meals that cost you a total of $.50 because of your spectacular couponing skills?  Geez Louise!  Can you not be the soccer mom that brings in a variety of fresh fruit and hot out-of-the-oven baked good to the game for the kids half-time snack.... while I bring oranges that aren't even peeled?  Good golly!

Funny thing is.... I'm not jealous of her.  I'm blessed that I have someone so great that I'm actually related to!  We have the same genes and everything.  So, that makes me AWESOME too.... or at least by relation.

This woman isn't "showy" at all, like I would be if I were that great.  LOL  She is the opposite.... humble. She is an awesome woman of God who supports her husband as the "head" of the household, while she is the "heart."  Which is the way it's supposed to be!  It's the way I want my household to be.  Her light for Jesus shines so bright, it's hard not to notice her and learn from her.  People, strangers even, are just drawn to her.  It's quite funny, actually!  She could be just minding her own business while grocery shopping and some troubled soul will gravitate towards her and spill their whole life story.  Right there in the middle of the store, she will pray with them.  That has really happened.

As if she couldn't get any AWESOMER (I can make up words because this is my blog) this past year, Teresa has done something that I admire so much.  She has dropped 74lbs!  She decided in May that she was going to start counting calories and eating healthier foods.  She didn't give up!  Losing about 10lbs per month, she is like the ever shrinking woman.  The ever shrinking HOT woman!  I love that she feels great about herself.... and the fact that she has great style and we can now share clothes.

Here is a picture of us..... Twins!

There is no better friend than a sister.  And there is no better sister than you. 

All Good Things Come to Those Who Wait...BLAH!

OK so I am going through a phase, a totally new phase for me. I love decorating and redecorating and I usually use things from the past (if I don't give them to Katy) or I search local thrift and consignment stores so I don't break the bank. But this phase is an expensive one and I am not sure how to handle it!

After watching this episode of Property Brothers on HGTV (fast forward to the 38 minute point), you will see the homeowner freak out over a painting...I WANT THAT PAINTING!






I cant tell you how long it took me to search the web to find that painting and who made it. After googling every key word I could think of, the artists website finally popped up. I was like a kid at Christmas! I had searched for days and once it was finally in front of me I couldn't stop smiling!

I fell in love with the painting even more. I finally found a way to contact the artist and heard back within a few hours. It was pretty neat to connect with the actual artist herself, Elizabeth Kinahan!

Well soon my smile faded. I know that usually when you buy art from the actual artist it can be quite expensive. So I knew that her response was not going to be what I was hoping for and it wasn't... Lets just say I have never paid that much for a painting before. But this momma wants it baaaaddddd! I mean real bad.

So now I am trying to figure out how to get my hands on that picture. Maybe having a yard sale or waiting until my birthday? Maybe one day...I guess its time for me to hang on and learn to be patient!

All good things come to those who wait...

Outfits of the Week

So, in Morgan's previous "outfit of the day" post, she took a picture of herself with no make-up and in her pj's as a "before" picture.... I will not be doing that! Frankly, I don't want to scare anyone away. Morgan looks much better than I all natural.

Black and White Stripped, fitted shirt from H&M layered with a tan, knitted "sweater thing", gray leggings from Old Navy and brown Charlotte Russe boots

My infamous boyfriend jeans, a brown and white stripped, slouchy shirt from Forever 21, my hand-me-down green sweater from Morgan and UGGs

My outfit today is boyfriend jeans, plaid Old Navy shirt, and Sperry's

Alright, folks... I may need to go shopping soon so that I can make more outfits.  I'm always trying to find excuses to shop!  I wonder if my husband will be okay with it for the sake of the blog?????