Last Wednesday of March!

Hard to believe March literally flew by.

I'll be linking up with Mel, Shearer, and Shay for What's Up Wednesday - March Edition.

Liebster Award

Hello friends!  

The start of another Spring week!
[Ok, so I'm a day late. Eh, what can I say, I had a case of the Mondays]

Hope everyone had a fantastic, enjoyable holiday weekend!  

I sure did!  

Friday was recognized by my company as a holiday, so I had the luxury of being home with my little one.  Saturday was nonetheless relaxing until my sister came over...and we headed out for some sisterly time over some drinks [much needed].

A little over a week ago, Emily over at A Little Bit of Emily was nominated for this award and instead of nominating bloggers herself, asked to partake in this if we wanted to.  

Duh, of course I'll take this opportunity - I love learning about people and their blogs!  Isn't that what this is all about - learning about one another?!

Here are the rules for the Liebster Award:

Thank the Blogger that nominated you in your post and link back to their site

Answer 11 questions from the Blogger that nominated you

Tell your readers 11 random facts about you

Nominate 11 Bloggers for the Liebster Awards

Ask your nominees to answer 11 questions

What is your all-time favorite recipe?

I love, love cooking and baking! Haven't done much of it as of lately, but here are a few of my favorites [I couldn't just pick one]:

- Nestle Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookies

- Banana Bread (without nuts. I'm not a fan of nuts in my banana bread]

If you could live anywhere, would you choose a small town or big city?

Ah, I go back and forth with this one.  I'd love to live in a big city, but then again, I'm a little city girl at heart.  I'd like to live in a small town just not super far from a big city - then I could have the best of both worlds!

What is one book that you could read over and over again?

Probably anything by Jen Lancaster!  I love her memoirs - so hilarious!  I love a good book that makes me giggle!

Wine, beer or cocktail?

Cocktail all the way!  No questions asked!  Either a margarita on the rocks with salt, or a lemon drop (raspberry lemon drop if I'm feeling it).

I hate to admit the fact that I haven't acquired the taste of wine yet and have always hated beer.

If you could have any job, what would it be?
Hm. Any job? I would say, it would have to be a surgeon of some kind - I love the science and math behind all the medical professions! I was going to go into nursing...until I realized I don't have patience. Eh, oh well.

What is the best beauty advice you have received?

Best beauty advice I've received was to use purple shampoo several times a week and to use a sulfate free shampoo on the other days.  Sure makes a difference in my blonde hair. #amen

What is your favorite app?

My favorite app of all time is Pinterest!  Duh.  Entertainment for hours....

How do you keep yourself organized - phone/computer or paper planner?
I'm a complete paper planner.  There's something about pen to the paper that makes my brain work better!

If you could design your dream kitchen, what colors would you go with?
My dream kitchen would have to include some purple! [of course!]  See examples below:

[don't these colors just make you feel inspired?!  #bliss]

Cat or dog?
Do I have to choose between the two?  Because I'd choose both. A cat and a dog.  I'm a huuuuuge animal kinda gal.
[hence why I have 3 dogs and a cat of my own]

What is your favorite thing about blogging? I love getting to know other people and what they are about.  It's great to meet people, share ideas and stores with one another. I will be honest, and say that I like what Emily did in her post and instead of nominating 11 other bloggers, anyone who would like to participate next, comment below so those [including myself] would like to follow up, can do so! I think the is such a fun opportunity to get to know one another, especially since I'm so new to the blogging world! My 11 questions are... 1. If you could travel anywhere in the world [money is not a factor], where would you travel to? 2. Black coffee, tea, hot chocolate, latte or mocha? 3. What is your favorite holiday and why? 4. East coast or West coast? 5. What made you decide to start blogging? 6. What is your biggest pet peeve? 7. If your life was a novel, what would the title be? 8. If you had to describe yourself in 3 words, what would they be? 9. Favorite sport to watch? 10. A weekend at the mountain cabin doing outdoorsy things, or a weekend at the beach relaxing in the sun? 11. What is your favorite quote/saying?
Thanks for the 'self-nomination' Emily!   Be sure to comment/email me if you want to participate next!  I love learning about other bloggers!

Spring Has Sprung | Lavender Style

Hello all!

First day of Spring has arrived for the 2016 year (yes, I know, it was yesterday).  

Here in the Pacific NW it was pouring down rain.  However, Saturday was B-E-A-uuuutiful sunshiny!

Didn't do anything too exciting to speak of this weekend, but it did get me thinking about all things purple.  Light purple/lavender/lilac to be exact.  

If you didn't know, purple is my favorite color of all time.  

Not the red tint, but the blue tint of purple.

I like cool colors.

For today, I've decided to dedicate a post about purple! 

[I love me some purple- hair, nails, flowers, room themes, outfits, accessories, makeup...all of it!]

[Next nail color I get will be a light purple of some kind.  I'm a huge fan of Essie, but also like OPI.  I've always been a fan of purple eyeshadow for using in the outter corners of my eyes]

      

[Because it makes complete sense to have mommy-daughter matching Chucks]

     

[How about that North Face for the little ones?!]

      

[I'm definitely on the hunt for a pair of those lavender pants this season.  I think they are so adorable and Springy!]

   

[I just love statement necklaces - adds a pop of color to any kind of outfit!]

   

[If I had enough guts, I'd so do this with my hair!!!  I went purple underneath once - loved it!]

      

[My home...one day]

[Naturally...by Anthropologie #swoon]

And there you have it - all things purple and Springy for me!  I absolutely love the color - so calming!

Hope everyone has a wonderful start to their week!  Happy Spring!

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston

**All images pulled from Pinterest.  I take NO credit for any of these photos. I just admire from afar.

Confessional Thursday | I'm Not Wearing Green

Thursday.
March 17th.
[say what? St. Patty's Day?!]

That's right, it's Confessional Thursday!

I'll be linking up with Jessica at The Newly.

Today, I confess....

[] My newest favorite snack: baby carrots dipped in crunchy peanut butter {don't judge - it's pretty tasty}

[] I've never been a huge fan of St. Patrick's day in all honesty.  I like the color green, but I don't wear a lot of it.  Actually, I own one green cardigan.

[] ...and no, I'm not wearing the green cardigan today either. #pinchme

[] It felt so good to have a mommy/toddler playdate with my old co-worker last night.  At her house. With her 2.5 year old and my 2 year old. We swear, we are sisters from another mister - so much in common...it's really kind of odd.

[] You know those "memories" that Facebook likes to let you know that you posted about in the past? Like "6 years ago, you posted this picture {insert photo}?  I've been deleting all the past things that remind of my horrible past {i.e. the ex}  Who needs to know that stuff even existed?  Not me...

[] I've had a lot on my mind lately.  A lot of things have been weighing heavy on my mind. Sometimes I just wish I could hop on a plane, fly somewhere tropical, be pampered and served fruity drinks with little umbrellas. I swear, it's the umbrellas that make life that much better.

Your getting warm fuzzies just thinking about this umbrella in your drink...beach side, huh?!

[] I cried got teary eyed at the proposal on the Bachelor's last episode of this season.  I just love Lauren B. I know, it's all fake and made up (or at least thats what they tell me #ThanksGrandma) but it's so sweet to think there are guys out there like that. And relationships as cute as that. A girl can dream, right?!

[] Remember when I did a lot of cleaning one weekend?  Well I found several gift cards.  One of which was a Barnes and Noble one for $50 bucks!!!  I mean, I do like reading...certain genres of books of course.  So I took it upon myself and ordered 5 books the other night.  I'm excited that they all shipped yesterday and should be here soooooon!   Let the reading fest begin...

[] Lastly, I feel like the luckiest mom in the entire world to be blessed with such a sweet little girl.  Not that I didn't feel like that before, but the last two weeks, I've really felt a deeper feeling as having her for my daughter. I just couldn't imagine my life without her.  I mean, I could imagine life without a child {hello, condo in LA, NY, or waterfront Portland Oregon-duh, driving around in a not-so-kid friendly car}, but I couldn't imagine life without her as my child. Her and I belong together. Like peas and carrots; peanut butter and jelly; chocolate and caramel; coffee and scones...you get the point!

Have a fabulous St Patrick's day!

What A True Oregonian Understands

Being from the Pacific NW [Oregon to be exact] there are things Oregonian's totally get and understand.

Here are [my] top things about being from Oregon.

[1] It rains. A lot. In which case, you probably own several pairs of stylish rain boots - some even designer.  You may even have matching umbrellas [yes, I used the plural meaning - meaning multiple umbrellas you may own].

Weekending: Accomplishing the list

HELLLLOOOOO FRIENDS!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

I'll be linking up Biana over at B Loved Boston.
[Head over and link up too! It'll be one big link party.]

One word sums up my weekend: Productive.

I got a ton of stuff done.

Last Monday morning I woke up after an emotional and draining weekend with a different kind of feeling.  A feeling of - it's about me and McKenna, getting things done, and getting life on a different [better] track.

And this last week was just that - no cell phone in the evening [I've grown to hate talking on the phone now...even texting can annoy me, but at least I can pick and choose when I want to respond. Sounds bad huh?!  Eh, I need some away time from electronics], no outside distractions in the evenings while doing the evening routine with the little one, cleaner eating habits, and figuring out a routine that works best for the little and I.

Friday I had started a list of things I needed to accomplish over the weekend.
Things I had been wanting and needing to get done for quite some time.
[Although my list of 'to-dos' never truly end, these have been weighing heavy on my shoulder - small tasks, seem to take a backseat on the day to day life, but not this weekend]

I got most everything completed this weekend that I've been needing/wanting to accomplish on the list...except a few.

And it feels amazing!

I feel like I can think more clearer, get more things done and now am ready for the next weekend of challenges: figuring out what I want in life, having some more 'me time' and getting my study on for the next adventure in life.

Do you ever just feel that your 'happiness tank' isn't full?
Or even half full?
Yeah, I've been feeling that way for a long time now...which is why I've decided to take the bull by the horns and concentrate on my little and I for a little bit.
#TimeForChange

The weekend brought us all kinds of weather - sunshine, clouds, rain, down pours, hail, thunder and lightening...just about everything except snow and ice.  

#TypicalOregonWeather

The newest obsession: mom's new umbrella.  Because it's that cool to carry an umbrella in the rain and leave mom without an umbrella.

#TheLittleThings

Oh, and remember how I was working on Phase 1 of the South Beach?
So that went very well all week, until Saturday when a Baja Fresh black bean/cheese burrito was in order.  Since then I haven't had any sweets.  It's hard to complete this kind of detox when your the only one who's being super strict on foods in the house.
But it's a good kick start for me!
#YahMe

Move over world...I've got my sassy pants on!  There's no stopping me now!

Horrible selfie, but this is what I felt like Sunday afternoon after getting [most] everything accomplished this weekend!  

#DayOldMakeup

#DayOldHair

[I did shower though]

However, what you don't see is the venti Starbucks on the coffee table.

#MotivationAtItsFinest

Here's to an awesome week!  I've got my list going for the next weekend to come of things to get accomplished!

#ImOnFire

What are some things you do to make your happiness tank full?

How was your weekend? 

Share details below - I'd love to hear your ideas and stories from the weekend!