Sunny Saturday

Happy Easter weekend, friends.  We are soaking up time with family today before we head back home to celebrate Easter tomorrow at our church.  Although this week was full of all the fun things of Easter, it's been a somber few days to remember Christ's death on the cross.  The weight of his sacrifice is too heavy for words.

But, tomorrow we celebrate!  We celebrate his mighty resurrection and death being defeated!  It will be a good day, indeed.

Today, I'm sharing some things that made my week a bit sunnier.

Last year I picked up this print from The Written Tree and it came out during this Easter season.  It's simple and beautiful and the words are a good reminder of what this weekend is all about.

I have been wanting to plant some herbs for awhile now.  I finally found some time to grab some from Home Depot and get them in some pots.  I picked up some thyme and rosemary (for pizza!) and still want to pick up some basil.  My window behind my sink is looking pretty now.

Tomorrow I'm making a quiche for Easter.  It will just be our little family. We will be eating 'pie' as the kids call it and some yummy Easter candy for a treat.  How will you be celebrating this weekend?

I hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend.

Happy Sunny Saturday, all!

My Spring Capsule Wardrobe

You’ll never find something to wear that makes you feel beautiful, smart, or loved if you don’t believe that you already are. –Project 333, Courtney Carver

Such true words.  Clothes don't define us, they don't make or break us, they don't even tell others if we are beautiful or not.  We do all of those things, with our hearts, our voice, and our actions.  Sure, clothes can give us more confidence, can make us feel good in our own skin, can allow us to be creative. But clothes certainly don't define who we are.

I have struggled finding my style and dressing well over the years.  I have made bad calls.  Literal bleach-in-the-washing-machine jeans (remember that mom?) and have played it too safe.  I have bought shirts and shoes just because they were on sale and taken things to Goodwill with the tags still on.  I am still learning how to be comfortable and creative with my clothes and dress for what works for my lifestyle.  It's a process.

Capsule wardrobes have been a thing since Susie Faux coined it in the 1970s.  She was the owner of a London boutique called "Wardrobe". According to Faux, a capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few essential items of clothing that don't go out of fashion, such as skirts, trousers, and coats, which can then be augmented with seasonal pieces.

Capsule wardrobes have been on my mind for awhile and although I have been moving in that direction for years, I finally stepped up and decided to give it a go this spring.  I have chosen clothes for my capsule wardrobe based on what I absolutely love wearing, what I feel comfortable in, and what pieces go together.  I ended up with just under 40 pieces.  The rest of my clothes not within the 40 pieces are in storage.  All that's left in my closet is what I have chosen for my capsule wardrobe, thus eliminating the temptation to cheat. Since I am a first-timer and am somewhat experimenting with this, I am giving myself permission to add something if need be.  I'm human after all.  But, my goal is to make it until June 21 with the items currently in my closet.  Also, this wardrobe does not include my workout gear or clothes I wear around the farm to work.  I have a few pieces for those categories.  It only includes things I will wear outside our home.

Here is the breakdown: 

19 tops 

2 jackets

1 vest

2 dresses

4 pairs of shoes

5 pants (This includes yoga pants I wear for errands #momlife as well as pants I wear for more 'dressed up' occasions.)

2 shorts

1 scarf

Many capsule wardrobes include jewelry, however I am not including jewelry this time.  Baby steps, friends!

My goal in using a capsule wardrobe is to make dressing easier as well as to always have something to wear that I feel good in.  The next three months will be interesting and hopefully, rewarding.  

Tell me, are you implementing a capsule wardrobe this spring?  What does it look like for you and your lifestyle?

Sunny Saturday

We started the week in the desert in swimsuits and sunscreen and are ending the week with raincoats and chicken pot pie.  It's been a wonderful week, one I'm thankful for.  It is always good to be away, but it is always so so sweet to come back to my babies.  Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? 

Today I'm sharing some things that made my week a bit sunnier. 

Reading is one of the things Kevin and I love to do on a trip away.  I am currently finishing up Jamie Ivey's If You Only Knew.  If you have been around here long, you know I am a BIG Jamie Ivey fan.  Her story is real and vulnerable and I love how she tells it like it is and challenges us to tell our stories.  Friends, this book will not disappoint you.  If you are a wife, woman, mother, daughter, sister, friend...this book will inspire you to love the ones around you well, to tell your stories, and to understand nothing is unforgivable. 

Ritter chocolate.  Have you had it?  They are a German candy company and since you can't pick them up everywhere, I am easily persuaded to buy them anytime I see them.  Trader Joe's sells a few varieties, but World Market has more options.  I'm not sure I could choose a favorite, but Peppermint is high up there...and it's not one I often see.  I might be making an Easter basket for myself this year.

Many of you know I am a Rodan and Fields' girl.  Not that I sell it, but that I use it.  After being in the sun for a few days, their Soothe moisture replenishing cream is helping my skin come back from the dry heat and into the cool spring.  It makes my skin feel so good.

Grilling season is coming.  We have been grilling about once a week for a month or so now and it's one of my favorite nights.  It's easy and eliminates a lot of mess and I'm not the one manning the grill.  Burgers are our go-to, but we do fish and steaks as well.  I am hoping to add this recipe for beef tenderloin on the grill this spring.

Today Kevin and the bigs are at an event at church and I am home with our sweet Jude.  Hope you have a great weekend.

Have a Sunny Saturday all!

Decluttering Challenge Printable

Over on A Simpler Motherhood I have been talking about stuff and decluttering by category.  Today I want to share with you a simple printable to help you get started.  You can complete this challenge with a friend or go at it alone and share your journey over on A Simpler Motherhood's Facebook Page.  

When you are decluttering remember to ask yourself these three questions: 
Do I love it?
Is it beautiful or useful?
Have I used it in the last 90 days or will I use it in the next 90 days?

You can start today or wait until April 1 to get started.  Just click on the link below and you are able to print straight from your computer.  Enjoy!

Click Here: Decluttering Challenge Printable

Favorite (Simple) Blogs and Podcasts

If you have hung around here long, you know I am a blog lover and listening to podcasts is one of my favorite things to do when I'm not caring for babies.  I enjoy consuming information on simplicity from the gurus and savor listening to a good podcast in the car to and from 'the city' (that's country talk).  Today I thought I would share my favorite blogs and podcasts when it comes to simple living.

Blogs

Becoming Minimalist

Joshua Becker has been writing about minimalism for years on his blog, Becoming Minimalist.  There is a wealth of information about living with less on his site, I could spend all day clicking through the articles.  He is a Christian and I appreciate his desire to get past the stuff and be intentional about living a meaningful life.

The Art of Simple

Tsh Oxenreider is a world traveler, writer, and simple living guru.  She is a real person, too, with three kids.  She, along with other contributors, write about living a simpler life at The Art of Simple.  Tsh recently broadened her writing genre and is writing more about other things she loves, but there are tons (and tons) of articles on living a simple, intentional life.  If you scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your name and email, she will send you a list of her favorite posts and podcasts.  Speaking of podcasts, her's is on my list as well.

Design for Mankind

Erin Loechner is a sweet momma and designer who writes about life with her husband and two littles.  Her words are inspiring and lovely and she has the absolute best taste (just check out her pictures).  She has been vulnerable and real and honest with what she writes on her blog.  I know you will love it.

Podcasts

The Next Right Thing

Emily is an incredible writer and speaker, this I know for sure.  She has some bestselling books and speaks all over the country about being a soul minimalist.  She has created a podcast where she talks about 'making room for your soul to breathe'.  It's so good, friends...packed full with wisdom and practical tips.  And they are only about 10-20 minutes, so they are a quick listen.

The Simple Show

The Simple Show features my girl, Tsh, as well as three co-hosts (Erin Loechner being one of them).  They have talked in the past about saying 'yes' and 'no' to the right things and now they are diving deep into other topics such as how to consume the news, what to listen to, and travel.  I look forward to these every week.

The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

Now, Jamie doesn't talk about simple living, but I couldn't not have her on the list.  She is so good, friends.  Jamie interviews women from different arenas. They talk about big things and small things and you feel like you're right there with them, hanging with some girlfriends.  I couldn't suggest this podcast anymore.  Also, she just released her first book, If You Only Knew.  I devoured it on my trip.  Check her out, you won't be disappointed.  

There they are...my favorites!  I hope you find something in there you love. What are your favorite blogs and podcasts?