InstaLife

INSTALIFE POSTS ARE LIFE-BASED + PHOTOS ARE DIRECTLY FROM MY INSTAGRAM FEED.

So let’s see…before Christmas I was going nuts trying to get things done for the blog and get our house/clothes/cars ready for a great big road trip to go see family. This basically means that I drank a LOT of coffee, stayed up really late at night and made sure to get Wes out of the house for some fun play dates. I am totally happy staying at home pretty much all day every day, but my boy is a busy little guy and gets a little crazy if he’s cooped up for too long. We try to get out and do something different a couple times a day if we can, and we both almost always feel super refreshed afterward!

 

I have been revisiting what I consider my style to be a lot lately, in every sense of the word. Home decor, clothing, hair, blogging style, writing style, photography, cooking. I feel like every year I learn more about me and the things that I love; I realize that I’m not always drawn to something because it’s just so “me.” There will likely be some changes in the way things look around here because I want to cultivate that style the best I can, to live and eat and work in a life that’s well-worn and well-loved. I’ve been really drawn to the food in Gwyneth Paltrow’s It’s All Good and just her style in general – I look at it and it just feels peaceful. The recipes are flavorful and healthy. It’s a journey, but it certainly feels nice to have identified a little inspiration!

Y’all, my dude. I can’t even. There are no words. He is growing like a weed, probably the cutest weed ever EVER ever, and he’s learning and doing so many new things every day. The other day we were playing on a playground and I snapped the above picture when he realized that he was actually supposed to be smiling at the camera. I melt every time I see that sweet smile!

 

I’ve been working on some really fun freelance recipes lately, and this one above is no exception. Basically it’s a healthier version of apple pie without the crust, which some might think is sacrilege but I’ve got to be honest – I didn’t even miss it. Recipe will be up on a ChefMom Sunday soon!

Right before the Christmas Family Celebration Madness began Wes and I hit up a local museum for the first time and had an absolute blast. He also took it upon himself to start climbing huge hills and smiling down at me from the top. Such a cutie pie!

 

I asked you guys on Twitter a while back what the best yoga mat was, and it was a resounding vote for Lululemon’s ‘The Mat’ from just about everyone. After I looked up the price online I figured that’s a little too much for me to ask for for Christmas, especially since I’m not someone who practices every day. Lo and behold Nate was the most amazing husband and got it for me anyway, and I have to say that this mat is really amazing. Comfortable, firm, sticky, soft. And just to be clear, Nate is the most amazing husband with or without the mat. Just sayin’ 😉

So I’ve decided I’m going to start rocking the big hair from now on. I have gone back and forth on having short hair versus long hair in the past couple of years, and I think I am FOR SURE going to grow it out and keep it long for a while. And now that I’ve figured out how to curl it and make it big? Yeah, not going back. Next up will be mastering the sock bun about 3 years after it’s gone out of style 😉

 

For our huge Christmas trip we drove from Little Rock to Austin, then back up to Dallas, then back to Little Rock. While we were in Austin we stayed in a condo with my parents and sister and future brother-in-law on Lake Travis. It’s been a while since I’ve been in the Hill Country and it just felt so good to be back. It just feels like home to me, you know? Although when we were in Dallas it felt like home, and then I couldn’t wait to get back home to Little Rock. But at least it’s all in driving distance 😉

My boys. I love them. Nothing makes me happier than being a family with these guys, and the idea of growing our family is just so overwhelmingly beautiful. This is the good stuff right here!

 

Also, has anyone ever been on a tire swing? I still haven’t – I just thought this one behind our Austin condo was pretty. But I was too scaredy pants to try it!

The above pictures basically embody what I’m working toward this year in regards to food. Good food, as close to the source as I can get it. Food that’s beautiful because it’s fresh and hearty and clean. Also, radishes? Totally love ’em !

This week has been nuts, what with being sick and also starting the process of writing my book proposal. Yes, that’s right, I started writing and am completely in awe that this surreal moment – the moment of starting the book-writing process – is actually happening. Yesterday I was eating a simple lunch of beans and a fried egg while I wrote and just sat back in wonder at the fact that I’m finally working toward a dream that I’ve had for years now. YEARS of dreaming, coming to fruition. It’s nuts. And it’s all God. Amen.

 

Happy weekend guys!