Sequins and Granola

I'm baaaaack...for today! LOL My unpredictability is just part of who I am. I finally have something to say! Ladies, we need to talk about your britches. The weather is warming up & the shorts are coming out. So I thought I'd just throw a few of my opinions out there & you do with it what you may- I suggest listen but you do you! 😜 The only exception to all my "rules" is if you have zero body fat on your hip, groin, upper thigh area or if you have one of those elusive thigh gaps. If that's you- ignore everything & wear ya shorts as short & tight as you want. But if you're like the majority of us ladies then here's my rules & tips for wearing trendy shorts at any shape or size. Shorts-They're my fave! Short, long, dark, light, destrassed, embroidered, laced, patched, silk, rompers, printed...there are so many cute styles. My opinion doesn't lie with any of the before mentioned options in short-wear. My problem lies with the f...

As we were strolling the streets of a small mountain town in Arkansas it hit me. My kids are perfect. My 10 year old with his lanky legs & forgetfulness, his creativity & inability to keep track of any item for longer than 2.3 minutes, sporting the coolest sunglasses $6 can buy.  My 8 year old with his pigeon toed walk, he's spitting of course- I'm sure something smelled funny & he had to expel it from his mouth immediately, he's wearing my Birkenstocks because he stepped out of my car in the bustling downtown streets of this quaint town in socked feet, no shoes to be found. But these 2 guys of mine- they're perfect to me.  It's sometimes hard to see- we're rushing to school & events, they're hitting each other, whining & tattle telling- I'm worn, frustrated- but still, it's there. Their perfectly imperfect perfection. These little boys are my life. I live & breathe for them- I will fight tooth & nail for their well being....

It's finally here ladies! Longer days, shorter sleeves, bright colors, & happier moods! Time to paint your piggies a bright color & let them free after a long winter shoved in boots! Grill some veggies, eat some fruit, lay in the grass, stare at the blue sky, smell the breeze, smile, laugh, be happy! Shake those winter blues! Get in the yard & hula hoop, do handstands, ride a bike, take a hike, throw a party, BBQ, go fishing, walk with a friend, go for a jog, plant in your garden, just get outside! Hope in the future, live for the moment, bloom where you're planted, shine love, hope in the unknown! Thank God for today- because it is glorious! 

I'm a brat. Straight up, spoiled brat, diva. It dawned on me as I drove away in the rental car- putting an actual key into the ignition *um, don't I just push the start button?!*, trying to adjust the seat with a manual crank, turning on the NOT automatic headlights & sticking my arm out the non-automatic window to adjust the rear view mirror- I'M A BRAT!  My car got into an accident- it actually just got hit. I was parallel parked on a downtown street while I was inside the hair salon I work at making folks beautiful. I finished up around 5:50 & gathered my things...chatting for my usual extra 10 minutes before I walked out the door. As I walked to my car I noticed a cop car parked in the center of the road blocking traffic. As I looked to my right on the sidewalk I saw three men: beards, long hair, bandanas- OH MY GRAVY! IT'S UNCLE SY! Only....it wasn't! I grabbed my phone thinking, "I'll get a pic with Willie for my boys- Duck Dynasty & Mom- ...

I love ROMPERS- if I've said it once I've said it a gillion times. I remember the first romper I bought - it was about 4 years ago. It was denim. I thought it was adorable. I tried it on for my hubby- you know the one that is so sweet to me & always tells me the truth? Example: your hair is too blonde, you look like you colored it in the trailer park bathroom OR you're going to have to just deal with wrinkles & dimply skin- you're in your mid-thirties & you've had 2 kids. 😳 Yep *That guy*  So I slip into my cute denim romper & sashe into the room to show him all the cuteness- & he takes a quick look & starts singing "come & knock on my door". Ummmm...the theme from Three's Company?! Yep. He said I looked like Suzanne Somers circa 1979. But did it stop me? No sir! I wore that little denim romper proudly & am going to keep on keeping on. So 4 years later I don't wear that particular denim number but I am still a huge ...

As I play in the yard with my boys, listen to the giggles of them & their neighborhood buddies, watch my neighbors buzz about on their bikes or out for a run I realize it- I'm living the American Dream. We aren't rich or celebrities but we are lacking nothing monetarily.  Mostly because we serve a great God, attend a church we love, My husband & I are successful in our careers, our kids are healthy & bright, they attend a great school, the town we live in is fun & full of opportunity- but there's a missing piece. I know that sounds crazy- but for me- there's a lack in my life. What is that you ask? My extended family.  I'm a family girl! Born & raised in the same town with the majority of my relatives. My family was there for every single one of my life events. I spent the night at one of my grandparents houses every weekend. Most of my childhood memories involve family members. That is what I miss- I miss the every day interaction. Dropping in t...

There I was scrubbing the floor- a literal Cinderella moment- scrubbing on my hands & knees singing a song when the same thought that typically crosses my mind during such wifely actions crossed my mind once more, "Josh will love that everything is so clean!" With a smile & a hum I continue to scrub. Feeling proud- look at me- wife of the year over here. Earlier that morning I had ironed all of his button ups that I had just washed & hung them ever so neatly in his closet, on perfect display so that when he walked in his closet he was sure to think "That wife of mine is a good one!" However, the reality of it is- that ain't his love language, so as much as he appreciates my kind gestures, they don't necessarily make him feel loved. Say what?!?! I just pressed all your polos & scrubbed that spot that you so gently keep mentioning out of the bedroom floor- that is love, my dear! It dawns on me, that's not his language. To him that means - I...

II love everything about spring! The smells, the flowers, the colors, Easter, & of course the fashion! I love dressing for mild weather, the temps are comfortable & you can break all the rules. This season I'm obsessed with a few things- whites, rompers, & mixing winter clothes with summer clothes.  WHITES/CREAMS:  First of all, it's totally ok to wear white year round/ but I especially love the all white & cream look for spring. Always great with nude, tan, or camel shoes. By the way, in the pic on the left I'm wearing skorts- remember those?! Don't be shocked if you see them in lots of stores this spring! Bring out your sequin pants, skirts, or shorts from that holiday party & pair them with a casual sweater or tee - great way to use them after the party is over!  ROMPERS: I'm obsessed with ROMPERS this season. I've been wearing them for a few years but I'm really into wearing them with boots in the spring. If your romper is sleeveless ...

I am a volunteer by nature- an 'I love you so I'm going to make you happy' kind of gal. I have a heart for helping others, giving back, making people smile...it's just in me. Somewhere along the way I started believing that me helping others meant coordinating a large volunteer effort, or donating $100 at a time, or getting in a routine or rotation of some sort that would be an ongoing effort. A weekly ritual of sorts that I would be fulfilling God's will one huge, everybody can see it, wrapped in a pretty red bow, act of ministry. But as a mom of 2 busy boys & a wife of a traveling hubster, what I thought ministry looked like has changed a bit with time.  A month or two ago I was shopping at a store, casually thumbing through the prints in the home decor section & spotted a beautiful picture with these words written across it: "DO SMALL THINGS WITH GREAT LOVE." There in the middle of a large discount store I had an "aha" moment.  Every t...

Most mornings we are running around like 3 crazy headless chickens (Translation: "chickens with their heads cut off" means running in every direction crazily). Most mornings I'm barking orders at the boys while stuffing their lunch boxes & trying to at least wash my face & brush my teeth before hopping in the car to take them to school. Most mornings I do lots of things wrong, but every morning there's one thing that I feel like I'm doing right. If the morning falls apart, if soggy cereal & sugar laden milk is spilled all over the floor, & shoelaces wouldn't stay tied with super glue I STILL get one part of our morning right. Every morning on our way to school while the boys are strapped in, without the radio on, while I have their undivided attention I speak over them. I say "you are men of integrity, character, & honor. You are first & not last, you are the head & not the tail, you are above & not beneath. Your feet are b...

I'm a runner...& by runner I mean I like to run 3-4 miles 5ish days a week. I'm a this is my me time runner, a this is when I talk to God runner, a I quit once it's uncomfortable runner, a y'all are crazy to run marathons runner. I love to run my few miles right after I drop my boys off at school- it's part of my routine, I pull back into the garage & hit the pavement without even going back into the house. My body knows what's happening, my mind is aware of what comes next. It's comfortable. This morning I decided that since I felt so good at the halfway point that I should just keep going! Some runs are easier than others, not sure why but your body just cooperates- this morning's run was one of those runs. I thought, "hey, I'll run 6 miles today!" Crazy. So as I approach the 3 mile mark I turn around & start back on the same path I have traveled, headed back home. Three miles there, three miles back. And can I tell ya, those ...

I'm not kidding when I say I could feed my kids this little recipe for every meal & they'd never complain. They love it- & my hubby too! It's a healthy, feel good about feeding it to your kids, recipe. I typically make it with either whole wheat or quinoa elbow pasta to pump up the fiber & protein. If you follow my blog much you know that I'm really into sweet potatoes, they're my go to- so it's no surprise that this recipe calls for a puréed sweet potato. This sauce is measured for a 13-16 ounce box of dry pasta. If you're doing less (like the box of quinoa pasta pictured) use half the recipe for the sauce. Here's what ya need : - 1 box cooked pasta (make sure to salt your boiling water to season pasta & put a chug of olive oil to prevent pasta from sticking together. Cook to pkg directions, don't over cook. No one likes soggy pasta😜)  - 2 Tbsp butter (I'm a realist, so I use the real thing- but if all you've got is some...

Around my neck of the woods fall means one thing: Football! And that means gameday attire of course! My husband is an Arkansan, born & raised so I'm sure it's no shock that around my house we are Razorback fans. For this post I'll be repping the Hogs showing you fun ways to wear clothes that are already hanging in your closet! Just pretend it's your team's colors instead of red- & some of you are fortunate enough to have two colors to choose from!  Here are some great tips to get you on the right track: - An awesome black & white stripe or geometrical print will pop against all your game day duds! - Leopard print is a neutral- it's true! It goes with everything! - You don't have to wear a school t shirt or a shirt with your school mascot anymore, just wear your school colors ! - Sequins , glitter , & bling are always acceptable when it comes to gameday apparel.  - A little leather , fur, or suede will make you look super jazzy! - Mix p...

Yep- you read that right- zucchini in your pancakes! And they're so easy it feels like you're cheating! Think of a warm, sweet, soft blueberry muffin in pancake form- mind blowing, right?! Plus it's healthy! Score! If you're opposed to a little store bought help feel free to just add zucchini to your favorite whole wheat pancake recipe, but for convenience sake (bc my 9 &7 year old keep me crazy busy) I've taken a little help from Ms White! Get it: -1 package Martha White whole wheat blueberry muffin mix (told ya- easy!) - 1 egg - 1/2 medium zucchini  - 1/2 cup milk (I used buttermilk because that's what I had but you can use soy or almond or good ole cow milk) Do it: - mix all above mentioned ingredients in a bowl (grate your half zucchini right in there using your favorite grater- I use a hand held cheese grater) - whisk it all together until kinda smooth ( I mean a little lumpage never hurt nobody) - cook over medium- high heat until bubbly then flip-aroo...

Latest article that I wrote for Women's Inc Magazine. Check it out!  www.womensinc.net/node/1718 Guilt Be Gone By Brooke Allen 3:00 in the afternoon - that was always the hardest. My boys were 6 months & 3 years. We had moved to a new town, no family, few friends. By 7:30 every morning my hubby left the house headed to Clinton or Marshall, AR for work. I stayed home in Conway with those precious babies...all day...by myself. 3:00 was the reckoning hour for me, when we were in the thick of it. My energy was usually depleted by that time of day & the clock was ticking in warp speed toward 5:30 when the hubs would be home. Of course I would’ve gotten “nothing” accomplished. Or so I thought. Looking back now I see that what happened at 3:00 was guilt. That was the time that I looked up from playing with my toddler, nursing the baby, cooking them meals and snacks, & panicked! It was almost time for the hubby to get home & what would he think of this mess? He would probab...

I was a cheerleader, blonde hair, blue eyes, small frame, style lover, daughter of a hairstylist, small town East Texas girl. I fit the stereotype so well, or so it seemed. I was such a happy child. I had a great family with all the love in the world, spiritual guidance, Jesus Christ, & a mom that I wanted to be just like. She is trendy, stylish, everyone loves her, she lights up every single room she enters & I wanted to be just like her. Until about 12 I was very shy. It was hard for me to talk to strangers, but I watched my mom move in & out of conversations so easily & soon picked up her mannerisms & her gift of gab. I started loving our weekend shopping trips to Dallas, all things Dooney & Burke, Guess, Pepe,  & Girbaud (I'm a 90's girl of course). I LOVED shopping with my mom & to this day if she says it looks fab, I buy it because she is a fashionista extraordinaire. Shopping, hair, jewelry, & style was our hobby. I knew what Louis Vui...

Fall Fashion time is here! One of my favorite trends is the denim shirt . It's been around for a while but it's even bigger this year! Whether your shirt is dark or light, short or long doesn't matter. You probably have one hanging in your closet right now!  You can style this staple so many different ways! Here are a few ways for you ladies to wear your blue jean duds!! *disclaimer- these pictures are a work in progress! Maybe next time they'll be better- but at least for now you can get the gist!*  Tuck that puppy in ! Wear your jean shirt tucked into a skirt (short or maxi) or high waisted shorts or pants for a cutsie look! You can also do the "fraternity front tuck"- this is especially cute with colored skinny jeans! As a jacket : Wear your denim top over dresses, rompers, or a tee- you can't go wrong. If you have a button up that doesn't quite button properly thus showing the gals off a bit too much this is the way to wear it! Leave that baby unbu...

Mommies these days...we know too much. We've heard the horror stories! We've seen the news of the unthinkable. Every other Facebook post is another appalling statistic. I swear we are more focused on the 0.1% chance that something bad can happen than we are the other 99.9%. I jump to the worst case scenario every time. A bee sting is only 3 seconds from anaphylactic shock. A jammed finger is certainly a broken finger that could potentially turn into surgery that could turn into infection & antibiotics, oh my what if he loses his finger? I definitely go to extremes at times, but guess what? I'm not the only mama that does this. I applaud you girls that are cool as a cucumber when it comes to your kiddos- don't know many of you- but we should meet sometime so you can rub off on me. Mine is usually medical related (allergies, infections, fevers, deformities) that I worry about. But some moms jump to other conclusions bc they are so knowledgable. There are worries over ...