Instagram Roundup

Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week so far! As I have been putting this blog post together, I have listening to my favorite podcast by Christy Nockels called The Glorious in the Mundane. I would highly recommend it to any woman! Every single episode has spoken to my heart. Well, today was no exception. I had missed the last episode of the season so I took the time while I was working at my favorite coffee shop this morning to put in my headphones and listen. In the busyness of the day to day, just stopping and soaking in good stuff (whether it be a conversation with a friend, a laugh with your kiddo, or a podcast) is just essential. To me, it's self-care. 

Something I have been wrestling with for awhile now is this blog and social media in general. I started all of this as a pregnancy diary, almost ten years ago. It's so hard to believe that it's been that long! In 2009, I had no idea I would still be coming back to this space, almost daily. It's changed and evolved over the years and I'm so thankful for every single person who takes the times to visit. This space has been exclusively for my family at the beginning, dedicated to thrifting at one point, sharing daily deals for awhile, collaborations with great businesses and boutiques, and so many outfit photos. Over the years, I have learned so much! But, also over the years, I have grown right along with the blog. For the past year, I have just been craving authenticity here and on social media. As much as I enjoyed my time almost always just sharing outfits that I put together as a collaboration, I realized that it wasn't really what I wanted for this space. I stopped pursuing those projects and decided to just share what I 100% genuinely love. This also meant pairing down my closet. Simplifying how I get dressed. Refocusing my budget on quality versus quantity. I just want y'all to know that this change has been so freeing to me. Maybe less people come by to visit my blog now but if you do, know that what you read and see is authentic.

So, here's where today's podcast comes in. I have been struggling with my passion for style and pretty things. I honestly feel guilty sometimes when I spend time sharing material things. It seems so insignificant in the grand scheme of things. But, I have connected with so many people in ways I would have never had the chance to connect with them otherwise. Just know that my heart isn't in stuff. It's just a hobby but I am grateful for the way it has given me a platform and an audience. I hope that you leave my blog or one of my social media platforms feeling hope, some extra joy, or you just feel less alone. In order to do that, I'm working at balancing the pretty with the real (which is incredibly hard because I don't want to just be a highlight reel but I don't want to air all of my dirty laundry on the internet, either). But, I'm hoping that by sharing more authentic moments that it will help others feel less alone. Because you aren't alone!

Let's capture, design,  let's sing, let's draft and plan, sew and build, teach and lead, cook and comfort, carrying in our hearts a better home and a better garden, a better country, heaven meeting earth everywhere we go, the smile of God in your eyes, and on everything you touch. 

- Christy Nockels

Today, I'm sharing my weekly Instagram Roundup. I greatly appreciate all of your love and support here on the blog, Instagram, and beyond. I'm grateful for you all!

There's just nothing like fresh flowers. My husband gave the girls this little bouquet for Valentine's Day and I just absolutely loved them!

How pretty are these items at Anthropologie?! I am loving the cheerful colors, especially on this super dreary, rainy, cold day!

Y'all... this body suit is $10 and makes you feel like at least $100! It's so flattering and great for layering while it's cold outside but it's also great on it's own with a pair of high rise denim. I'm wearing a size small and I found the fit to be true to size.

We have a Madewell store less than 30 minutes away now and I've already been twice. I'm so excited to have my very favorite story close by!

I don't pattern mix quite as much as I used to but stripes and leopard will forever be my favorite way to mix patterns. Also, this $15 is a must-have! Leggings friendly, too!

I wore these darling earrings every single day last week. And... I grabbed them to wear again yesterday. They are lightweight and so feminine!

My girls had their dress rehearsal for competition dance this past Saturday. I spent two hours doing their hair and makeup so that's why my head is chopped off in this pic, lol. They totally had better hair and makeup than I did that day! I definitely underestimated how long it would take to get them stage ready. But, they had the best time and I'm excited for our first competition!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great day!