I Spy Friday

something green and brown. 

I'm feeling rustic this holiday season.  You , too?  There's a ton of inspiration here.

You can live out your beliefs, simply.  Just act.  

I love this trendy bedroom makeover.  Hanging rattan chair? Check. Fiddle fig tree? Check. IKEA sheepskin rug?  Check.  Black walls?  Check.  Coral border duvet?  Check.  Layered rugs? Check. Pile of books on the floor, over-sized canvas art leaning against the wall, modern chandelier, and brass accents throughout the room???  This room has it all!  Maybe a tad too much.  Anyway, it's a pinterest(er)'s haven.     

Another bedroom I heart is Trina's house tour on living with kids.  This series is my fave.

My kind of hippie.

How to find your purpose in 30 minutes or less. 

The cardboard collective is insanely cool.  

Have you checked out A Well Traveled Brand yet?  I swoon. 

Shutterbean is new to me and I've been having fun catching up on her posts.  This post will make you drool and your stomach grumble.  I feel like I gained 5 lbs just from reading it. ;)  I Love Lists, Friday! is a delight at the end of a long week.

And for your weekend web browsing? Add these to your list:  The Grace Files and Chickpea Magazine.  Get your tea ready and enjoy these two!!! 

Sometimes I'm kind of brilliant and I had to share my latest revelation.  While scouring online for appropriate Christmas ornaments for my kiddos, I balked at the cost.  Plus the selection for the price was not ideal.  Then my light bulb moment occurred.  I could easily convert a keychain to an ornament!  And at just a fraction of the price (thanks eBay) I'm able to fulfill each child's ideal match.  In fact, they were so inexpensive and adorable that I ended up getting two for each of them.  For Kam, I opted for two Minecraft (he's obsessed) inspired ornaments.  For Lu, I found a Tinkerbell (she's obsessed) pewter one with her initial and a Monsters University (her first movie in the theater) one.  So steal my idea!      

I have a confession. I've always felt reluctant about this whole Santa scene that society doles out. It feels like a burden to keep up the charade and like the marketing ploys are out of control.  Yes, it's magical (or used to be), but it overshadows the true reason for Christmas... the night of the dear Savior's birth! Honestly, I'm looking forward to this day.  I can only hope for a similar reaction!  It almost came last year for my 9 year-old when he cornered me with questions and I retorted with "the spirit of Christmas" and blah, blah, blah.  I wan't quite prepared to handle the situation and there's also a toddler to consider. Anyway, I'm totally expecting him to press me further this year (ummmmm... why doesn't his dad get these inquiries? I've already had to divulge the truth of the tooth fairy and Easter bunny...sheesh).  When Kam does come to me with questions, I'm hoping to divert his focus to celebrating St. Nicholas.  (That's today!  Should I tell him??!!) In the future, I hope to not delve too much into the deception with my 2 year-old.  It's all too easy with the movies, books, and propaganda that surrounds us in today's world.  I'll have to bite the bullet and remain strong. Luckily, more people are veering this direction so it will progressively get better (and easier). Anyway, that's where I'm at with that.  Add to my mother's guilt, right? ;)  

What are your thoughts?  I'd love another opinion. 

Storm Cleon is coming our way.  I hope you're out of its range.  We're going on a longish road trip this weekend and I'm praying all goes well.  Stay safe.  Stay warm!  

Ta ta for now.  See you back on Monday!   

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