a Cozy Home

I currently keep telling myself that we will be getting our own home soon and be out of this condo. Fast paced living and small condo crunching is no longer {in fact was never my style-thank you job offer} and the more items i find to stock my someday home is filling my packed closets to the point where I can no longer store much of anything.

I want a packed library with my kids paintings on the wall. Bright natural light coming in all directions.

A window bench to watch the birds, read a book and talk to my angels.

and if our girls could do this in the house, we'd be good to go!

all images via

Storage Trunks

I love storage trunks. I was out this past weekend and found some really nice ones. Ironically I have no storage for them. We need to move. Asap.

{click the pics to see where they came from}

Have a Nice Week

My flowers are trying to escape my life and die on me! Little do they know, I'll keep them around forever. I froze the roses and some of the other flower petals; the girls were like, "Mom, what are these in here for?"

I cleaned the vase and placed them in my kitchen window. It was rainy and kind of a perfect way to enjoy the storm. I don't know anything other than flowers that can brighten a gals day! Well mine anyway. I love them.

I played with the effects on these and I love this last one. I can't tell you step by step but I enhanced the contrast first, then played with the levels, curves in adjustments. It turned out pretty. xoxo

Ladybugs

hello friends! I've been having the beautiful ladybugs hang all over us lately. Each time we head out somewhere there is one on the car. As fast as we go down the strip, you'd think they'd fall off but don't. I even tried taking it off when we got parked but it clung to the car and just stayed with us the entire day. I heard they bring you luck and perhaps it's my little ladybug angel. How's your saturday going dolls! Enjoy the rest of your weekends. xoxo

pic via

Good Friends and Coffee

I often say good friends are hard to come by and I truly do mean it. They are far and few. I never expect anything for my birthday from anyone and to receive a gift package from a woman I've only chatted on the phone with, whom i've only ever met on the internet to send me anything was beyond unexpected and so very kind. Not only did she think of me but my girls as well and they had the time of their lives drawing on the boards she gave them.  

So this day is dedicated to good friends; Bobbi, You are too sweet and so flippin fabulous. I love working with you and I love our chats, you make me laugh and that's what true friendships are all about! Love you lady. As well as the rest of you!

I'm going to clean this house up, get ready for the weekend and make plans for dinner tonight. I need some good food cause this mama has literally been starving all week! Ok...not starving,...my quick meals include a taco salad and some bread and butter and now I want some real fucking food! enjoy the weekend loves! any plans? xoxo

Daily Photo {Beach Babes}

June Sponsor Love

"Picnik Show"

Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

I decided at the last minute to whip up something simple and sweet! Please check out all of these lovely sites:

ashley plus 3

chantilly songs

simply kate

randomness with rachel

dats so cute

scenic glory

chesterrific

my reflection of something

also, scope out the right sidebar...lots of fabness going on! enjoy the day

Me {in Photos}

it was time for another life in photos, except it's just me for now! i'll update the entire fam in another soon.

xo

Eyebrow Threading

via

I had the pleasure of getting my eyebrows threaded this past weekend. It was something new and def. different. I probably would have been more comfortable lying than tilted back in a chair. It hurt like a bitch. My eyes wouldn't stop watering but it was a totally neat technique and I'd recommend over waxing. Supposedly it's supposed to last longer removing every hair and you walk away with smooth, clean eyebrows. I thought it was something new and something I'd do again, so go....get your eyebrows threaded! xoxo 

Beach Life

we had such a fabulous weekend. we haven't been to the beach in a bit so we headed over on Father's Day and enjoyed the warm water, gorgeous rays and silky sand in our toes. we're now resorting to the hats because the sun is so powerful that it just kills us even with 110 SPF on. it's dangerous but we love the sun! how was your weekends? xo

Flowers and Coffee Talk

Thank you all for our birthday wishes! Too sweet. I was completely surprised when the doorbell rang and these pretty flowers awaited the birthday girl! He's way too good to me. We never expect anything as the years go by and for him to shower me with just beautiful thoughts each and everyday is such a blessing. Our love for one another seems to grow deeper as we grow older and I'm so very happy, I can't even express how joyful. Love him to pieces.

Bryan ended up getting 30 cupcakes for M's b-day---so we have plenty if you'd like to come over.

M was my coffee maker for my birthday. She learned how I make my iced coffee's and has been making them for me. She hit the nail on the head. I got her a journal for her birthday and started the first page. She was in tears {happy tears} i just love them so so much. I want her to start writing more. She doesn't like it---but i think she sees me doing it, so she wants to now. We write letters back and forth:

she's going deep---it's so good to write what you are feeling and i want her to just air it out. it's good for the soul.

This past week, I was filled with more joy than I've ever had in my life. Including all of you who wished me happiness on twitter, facebook, here and even in texts. You're all beautiful friends and I love you.

♥

I'm loving this cup of freck this morning. I have my regular with extra cream and sug and I'm looking forward to getting caught up, finishing sponsor articles and living this fabulous life. I enjoyed our Gevalia Bean Chat yesterday and it gave me a wonderful idea for that kind of chat on FTLOB. I think it will be a very lovely new feature, so stay tuned for that friends. Enjoy this gorgeous day.

OH----Peep Peep; did I forget to mention, we had a mini tornado on M's birthday. We were out for a nice dinner---there was another pirate party there {Hannah enjoyed} but as we left it started to rain, God knew we needed it. But in a matter of minutes the trees were flying, Bryan was stuck in Publix {power went out, doors and lights weren't working} we were in the car, trying to slowly drive around so the carts wouldn't hit us, they were flying into all the cars and the signs were picked up off the ground and flew into everything...it was scary. We survived though. God still loves us! Wheewww. How bout your week? Anything exciting! xoxo

Bean Chat Anyone?

I'm over at Gevalia hosting their Thursday BeanChat from 10am-11am today. Come Visit, Like them, wish me a Happy Birthday on their wall and Have a Chance to win some Gevalia Coffee Gift Packages. Everyone who wishes me a Happy Birthday on the Bean Chat wall will automatically be entered to win a Gevalia Gift Certificate from me.

Wishing you a super fabulous day! Thank you for your sweet comments, I love you all!!!! Big Smoooches.

A Life to be Celebrated

♥

Later this eve we will be diving into some delicious cake but for now we're decorating the house with balloon trees and hanging at the pool. Twelve years ago I gave birth to my first daughter the night before my birthday. It was the most amazing birthday gift a mother could ever receive. I'm filled with so much joy in my heart and my life is completely full right now. {explains the lack of communication here but i promise i'll come around more often soon} Enjoy the gorgeous day, your children and a balloon tree!

xo

Meet Simon and Baby- the parrots

We went to a pool party this weekend where nothing was more interesting than these two beautiful tropical birds. I'm a huge lover of any creature pretty as pretty can get and these just made my weekend. Never mind the gorgeous sunshine, sauna, hot tub, pool, food, margaritas, just give me a pretzel to feed these fellas. The big one, aka baby says, "give me" and I said, say "thank you" and she did. so funny!

Simon just has this sweet heart where he moves so calmly and so precious. It was such a gorgeous weekend! How was yours? xo

How to Make Iced Coffee

Coffee Talk

Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway

Hello pretty ladies! Welcome to a fabulous giveaway. Shabby Apple offers classy, yet simple ways to dress. Their vintage inspired line allows you that elegant look while feeling as gorgeous as ever! They have women's dresses, maternity and even little girls' dresses.

One Lucky winner will receive a dress from Shabby Apple:

Simply Visit Shabby Apple and tell me your favorite dress.

for extra entries-leave separate comments for each:

like shabby apple on FB and tell them a cup of Freck sent you{2}

follow me on twitter {1}

join ftlob {1}

tweet this at least once a day: I want to win a pretty #shabbyapple dress @taylordates http://bit.ly/m84NsH #giveaway ends 6/25

Winner can choose a dress. I will email the winner shortly thereafter and good luck! xoxo

usa only---sorry

Bananas and Whipped Cream

Bananas and Whipped Cream is my new found love! I enjoy it for my after dinner {even before} snack or breakfast.  I use the lite cool whip and i feel fabulous afterward. So delicious and so very satisfying. Have you had before.? What's your indulgence. Also, I'd love to follow you on picplz, are you on there?

Happy

Fire Hydrants

I've always carried my camera with me everywhere-but when i really started getting into photography i was taking my sweet old time in a shopping plaza capturing fire hydrants--

Bryan was getting pissed and was yelling at me to 'LET'S go' and I was like- 'Um, no thanx....i need to get my fire hydrants.' hehe. i just like them;)

Have a Beautiful Day

morning dolls! how was your weekends? or better yet, how is your Monday morning going?! it was a busy morning already for us. girls. getting ready. in the morning. nuff. said.

this is one of the flowers from my vintage kit. so pretty! Now that things are calm, Miss H is working on her art, I'm sipping this coffee--{Friday for Coffee Talk, I'll be sharing how I make my iced coffee's} and I'm working on everyones sponsor articles. Please get those to me if you haven't. I am looking forward to Thursday. Last day of school. Yay. My girl is going into 7th grade. Whoa. Time doesn't fly now does it? Wishing you a beautiful day friends. xo

Vintage Cards

ello dahhhhlings...how has your weekends been treating you-i got a chance to do the cards we've been wanting to do. the girls and i made several birthday cards to send out. while the girls were making their ice cream cards{i'll show some later}, i made these vintage cards. you can get the scrap paper from any craft store. i happened to find this set at Marshalls. The entire kit came with blank note cards, decorative pieces and ephemera's. if you can't get to the store, you can write your own handwriting on any paper and use as your background.

take the background of your choice and then pick some pieces even from a magazine and cut them out---using the background as your guide, place the decorative elements onto that paper and arrange however you like. be sure to have your glue sticks handy----it's amazing what you can create with your own scraps---this is also much cheaper than purchasing a Hallmark.....I'll be giving everyone a personal freck card from now on. and not to mention, it was so nice to do.

i'll probably sign it differently next time.....i guess i should have put specially made with love or something--tee hee! anywho---fun project! i'm going to do more and i'll show some others later:) enjoy the rest of your weekend. xoxo 

you're a STAR

our beautiful eldest daughter is going to be a teenager soon. i can remember her naked hiney crawling around our living room floor and now she's blossoming into a very gorgeous young lady---whom we're so very proud of.

we attended her award ceremony this morning. all i can say is that she's one intelligent, pretty face! every time i step into the cafe for a concert, ceremony, graduation, whatever.....i start to tear up! i'm just so proud to be her mom.

xoxo...enjoy the weekend

Daily Photo {Palm Trees}

i enjoy the palm trees and the sky photographing the best! this is the higher level of the club house....gorgeous views. you can see the pool, tennis courts, golf course, everything!

Enjoying the Chili's Margarita Madness

This past weekend we went out to my favorite place----Chili's. Why wouldn't we on a gorgeous Saturday, considering it's right down the street. Their new promotion, Chili's Margarita Madness is the place to be to win great prizes, indulge in great food, enjoy fun friends and quench your thirst with one of their famous margarita's. Click this pic to take you right to the madness!

Enter to win a $20 gift card or a trip to the Caribbean. I sumbitted this photo- and WON! Woot...Woot. Go enter yours. Way too much fun. I loved every minute of it----

Now Don't mistaken me for just another lame mom, i can pour my shit without even looking and might i add, that i'm a damn good time-----laughing the entire way out the door. trust me, they give you plenty to have seconds and getting a little tipsy is always meant for good times. {with me anyways} i enjoyed a strawberry margarita with 2 amaretto's on the side....how dare i attend Chili's and not order my amaretto sours. de-O.

Now...it's a good thing my food came! Yum.

If you are ansty and can't wait to get your buns over to Chili's to celebrate their Margarita Madness, take a minute to Enter to Win one of 3 Gift Cards over on FTLOB. We're hosting the Madness over there and you could be winning a $40 Gift Card to Toast to a Good Time. Enter Here. Have fun....enjoy!

disclosure: i was given a gift card to do a review, all opinions are my own and true!