Saturday Style

I have an issue with shying away from color when it comes to my clothes and my house.  I have decided that I am okay with it!  I prefer to have black, white, gray, and navy clothing and then have a few fun color accessories to spice it up a bit.  

I stumbled across Kate Spade Saturday and I pretty much wanted EVERYTHING.  I LOVE how the clothes are pretty simple, and all of her accessories are funky and fun.  Plus...stripes! I can NEVER have enough stripes in my life!

They have a sale going on today for 40% off your ENTIRE purchase, so this good thing turned into a GREAT discovery!  Here are a few of my faves! 

purse / dress / sneakers / initial shirt / phone case / shirt / weekender

Purse: I LOVE a good cross body bag! I love how this one isn't bulky and looks like it would lay flat against your hip! This white bag is super cute too, I am just not sure if it is too bulky for me.

Dress: This dress looks so cute and relaxed! I am a sucker for stripes and the BEST part is that it is reversible so it is a super cute black dress with striped sleeves as well! I think it is kind of pricey at full price, but with the 40% off....and factoring in it is basically TWO dresses in one...It is justifiable. :)

Sneaks : These are just too fun to add to any outfit...and I rarely find shoes that I like that are 40% off! Perfect to add a little color to your weekends!!!!

Initial Shirt : I have always wanted to add initial shirts to my shop, but the inventory literally gives me a headache! I LOVE this sweatshirt....and again....totally doable with the 40% off code!

Phone Case:  I love all things zodiac!  I don't read it daily....I don't live my life by it....I just think it is so fun to classify people by their birthdays! It makes me laugh because you have NO control over the the day you are born....and you get to enter into this little zodiac club the min you are born.  Even crazier that I am a Libra....and generally every stereotype is true! lol!

Shirt: I LOVE this style shirt! I am petite and I just feel like this neckline is so flattering!

Weekender: I have a serious LOVE of duffel bags and weekenders!  It might be because they mean you are going somewhere when you bring them out....but either way, I love them!  I LOVE this style bag, and the fact that you can design your own BLOWS MY MIND!

I hope you have just as much fun searching on this site and get to use the code "EXTRA40" to get 40% off your ENTIRE purchase! WINNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ps....don't forget to check out our shop and our NEW St. Patrick's day goodies AND baseball and soccer blankets!!!!!!

I Welcome Monday Mornings!

 This weekend was pretty much a whirlwind! It is a weekend that has been in my planner for months now and just always seemed to be so far away.....and then I woke up and was smack dab in the busiest weekend of the year! (or at least in the month of February!)

Friday started out with 1 science fair project being due (totally sharing a tutorial brought to you by my 10 year old on how to make a FREE portable speaker for your iPad later because it is just entirely too awesome not to share!).....1 biography report due for Collin (luckily he did the ENTIRE thing at school and just had to practice reading his notes before his report on Friday).....and then that evening was a school dance followed by sleepover with 3 of Kacey's best friends.  AHHHH!

Kacey ran home, showered, had me straighten her hair, and then put on the cutest dress ever that we purchased a month ago from TJ Maxx.  I LOVE how she paired it with her cowboy boots, changed out the brown belt for her glitter gold one, and kept on her friendship bracelet. I won't even discuss how she is basically as tall as mean and blows my mind at how grown up she looks! 

This picture cracks me up because Chad was taking a picture of us.....while she was using my phone to take a "selfie" and check the time to remind me we needed to go and pick up all of her friends ASAP. Just a little glimpse into my future I guess. 

The girls came home from the dance SOOOO hyper and excited!  I was the first mom there to pick them up and was able to peek in the windows of the lunch room (aka dance floor) and spy on them.  Lucky for me, she isn't embarrassed of me yet and came running over and kissed me thru the window and told me to watch them dance! I know this excitement is short-lived.....so I am just soaking it up while I can!  They made chocolates, had a pull up contest, played games, watched a movie, ate junk food, and talked a lllllllll night long!  Girlfriends are the BEST! 

Bright and early on Saturday morning we fed them all full of donuts and then dropped them off at their homes to head down to Tampa to watch Collin in his baseball tournaments.  I LOVE this pic of him bunting the ball! He is the king of bunting right now because he is so darn fast at getting on base! 

He had 2 games on Saturday......and 2 games on Sunday and finished 2ND place in the whole tournament.  Proud mom!

Sunday morning I woke up at 4am (and didn't go to bed till 12:30 because I was so nervous about the race) and caught a ride from a friend down to our half marathon! We got on the road and noticed that the lights in his car were off.....and then shortly after we broke down! GREAT TIMING! Chad and the kids came to our rescue (with ZERO complaining) and picked us up and dropped us off at the start line JUST as they were singing the National Anthem!  We started the race at the very end of the pack and had to pass EVERYONE and their mother!  I felt great, ran my best, and finished in a time that I am pleased with! It ended up being 13.25 miles (on my garmen) and I finished at 2 hours and 11 min! (JUST barely beating my goal of being under 10 min miles for the entire race)  I have never been so happy to see these three standing near the end of the race in all my life! HALF MARATHONS ARE LONG!!!!!!!!!!!!

After the race I had JUST enough time to run home, shower, change, and head out to take Kacey to a soccer game while the boys went down to baseball! I HATE missing one of their games, but it happens sometimes.  Kacey played great and after her game we hoped in the car to head BACK to tampa to watch Collin get 2nd place! 

I AM EXHAUSTED STILL!!!!!!!!! 

Sometimes Mondays feel like the most relaxing day of the week for me.  

Sale Today Only

Hey there!!!!!! I hope you all had a nice, relaxing Valentine's Day!  We spent our weekend with sleepovers, soccer tournament, baseball games, lots of chocolate, and couch snuggles.  It was EXACTLY how I would have wanted it!

I have a sale in shop today with Code "XOXO15" for 15% off your entire purchase! Don't miss out!

XOXO!!!!

Valentine's Day Tween Sleepover

I have been busy planning a little Valentine's Day sleepover for my daughter and a few of her buddies.  We do it every year after the school dance, and this year they have decided to do the dance the week AFTER Valentine's day!  (don't even get me started that my daughter is in 4th grade and they have school dances! Weren't we in Middle School when that stuff started???)

I have had pink, red, black and white on the brain lately and all things hearts!  I have been wearing my All My Love and XOXO shirts on heavy rotation, and am pretty positive that I will not be packing either of them up with my holiday goodies this year.  I just can't!

I am not planning anything big for this festive sleepover....just a few sweet treats, some heart sunglasses for pictures, and Kacey has a long list of movies that she wants to watch.  I am sure it will really just be a lot of talking, snacking, and screaming! 

XOXO BALLONS, EAT MORE DESSERT, CAKE PLATE, HEART GLASSES, TINY SPOONS

Kacey loves it when we take pictures of her friends at sleepovers, so I have purchased these balloons to hang behind them on the wall.  I am going to use my poloroid camera, and part of me wishes that I could invite my girlfriends over and do the same thing.  I got these glasses for each one of them (in different colors) for photo fun!

My FAVORITE baking book is EAT MORE DESSERT because it gives you amazing ideas...and it actually makes sense! I have made several of the cookies and treats and they actually WORKED! (I am NOT a baker, so this is saying a lot!)  We are making cake pops before the sleepover....but Kacey said she might want to make rice krispy treat hearts from this book while her friends are here. I mean....there isn't a rule about how much sugar you can eat on Valentine's day OR sleepovers so we are safe.  The spoons are just cute, and they are mini, and eating from mini utensils always makes food taste better. It is a proven fact!!!!!

I think it all just boils down to 1- I love to plan fun parties and sleepovers 2- I want my kids to ENJOY having their friends over 3- I want to plan as many fun activities while my kids still think my ideas are cool because I am fully aware that my time is limited in that department! 

Last year we made these photo props out of scrapbook paper, paper straws, and little wooden glasses we found at the craft store and loaded up with glitter!  So fun!!!!!

I hope you all are planning some fun get togethers for Valentine's Day!!!!!

I Heart You

I hope you all had a nice.....RELAXING......weekend!  I spent 90% of mine watching my kids play sports, and I am TOTALLY okay with that!  Collin had 3 soccer games (totally got killed ALL 3 games...EEK!), Kacey had 1 soccer game (and had the BEST game of her life, and I missed it because Chad and I played paper rock scissors and I was at Collin's game), and Collin had 1 baseball game (and was pitcher for his first time ever on this team and literally ONLY threw strikes! THIS KID IS A MACHINE!)  

Once all of our games were over....we rushed over to a Super Bowl Party at my parents house TO WATCH MORE SPORTS!  I honestly don't think I have EVER been interested in watching football, but I did watch the entire game, learned a lot......AND CHAD AND I TOTALLY HAD 4-4 ON OUR FOOTBALL POOL AND WON $$$$!!!!!! SCORE! I think I LOVE football now! 

Now the kids are back at school, Chad is back at work, and I have spent today packing and shipping out all of our Valentine's Day shirt orders......and climbed up in my attack to pull down the decorations.  I honestly had the board fall down over the "hole" in the attic floor and for a second I thought I was stuck up there! (total Lampoons Christmas Vacation Style) Lucky for me.....I was able to get out alive and decorate my house a little bit while I have a quiet home. 

I got the heart garland from Target last year (sold out but similar here)  and I LOVE it! I wanted to keep it out all year long, but I think packing it up and only putting it up in February makes it seem a little more exciting!  I also LOVE my "Olive You" canvas and can't wait to wear my shirt from last year!  Decorating this Mantel, regardless of the fact that I live in Florida and do not have a fireplace, just makes me happy! 

Don't forget to check out our shop and get your Valentine's Day goodies today!  They are shipping within one day....and will give you plenty of time to wear them before the big day!  Although.....They are both totally acceptable after Valentines and don't need to be packaged up with your decorations.  

Hope you all are having a GREAT day! 

Proud Soccer Mom Style

I spend HOURS upon HOURS at the soccer field each week and I honestly love it! I played soccer growing up and some of my favorite memories include weekend tournaments with my team! I am excited to watch my kids get to experience the same thing with their teams and friends!  

This year both of my kids are on our local travel team, and that includes a total of 4 practices and at least 2 games a weekend.  To me, that is PERFECT! I feel like I have a season pass to watch my two favorite players enjoy my all time favorite sport.....WIN! 

This little guy was planning on "retiring" from soccer this past year and just playing baseball.  I totally let my kids choose the sports that they decide to play, because I am NOT going to argue or beg them to go to practices and games!  I admit, I was super sad when he mentioned giving the game up....but that's was his choice!  LUCKILY the week of tryouts, he saw a super cool soccer ball at the store and decided that he should probably try out in hopes that he would get this new ball! (little shit!)  Not only did he tryout and make the team (99% sure that EVERYONE made the team, lol!) but he is pretty much the rock solid star of his team.  He has fallen IN LOVE with soccer, practices daily at home, wants to be the first one at practice and last one to leave, and has a smile on his face the ENTIRE time he is playing!  THANK GOODNESS FOR THAT BRIGHT GREEN SOCCER BALL THAT KEPT MY LITTLE GUY IN THE GAME OF SOCCER!!!!!!!!

Kacey is on her 3rd year on the travel team! SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVES IT!!!!!! I swear that every single time she has the ball, she has a smile from ear to ear and I can actually hear her giggle!  It cracks me up every time and just warms my heart! She is excited to go to every single practice and game, and leaves every single game proud! (regardless of how she played or the outcome of the game...this girl is proud! ha!) Watching her bond with her teammates and coach just makes me so excited for the fun memories she will have forever! 

I know that I have shared this picture on here before but it still cracks me up!  I spent hours practicing, nights in hotels braiding hair and talking all hours of the night, and lots of blood sweat and tears with these girls!  I also think it is hilarious that my BFF and I (to the right of me) thought we were beyond cool when we would roll up our sleeves and tuck them under our sports bras! Total trendsetters! ha! I still keep in touch with a good chunk of these girls and that makes me so happy!!!! GOOOOO DAZZLE! (Yes, our team was named Dazzle ha!)

Last year I came up with a Soccer Mom Style board and it was geared towards super hot weather soccer....but we play soccer ALL YEAR LONG here in Florida and I wanted to add a long sleeve pullover to the mix!  This is what Chad likes to call...."Katie's Saturday Uniform" and I am totally okay with that!  

Soccer Pullover / Tote / Soccer Shirt / Jeans / Nikes / Best Chair EVER

Soccer Pullover and Tshirt: I tried to design the shirts and choose the colors so that they would work for any soccer fan!  Last year I included red in the mix, and I had SEVERAL emails begging me to make it black and white so that they could wear it every season, regardless of the color team their child ended up on.  I listened...and I am loving the simplicity of it!  I just can't seem to do the bedazzled sports mom shirts, so this style really works for me! 

Tote Bag: A big open bag is pretty much NEEDED when you are a sports mom!  You will need a blanket in case it gets chilly, a small umbrella in case it rains, snacks because you will get so hungry watching others exercise, and a planner because every once and a while the coach will spring a new practice or game on you at the last min.  I really love this bag! (also comes in gold dipped) !!!!! I am still 100% on board with my old trusty bag....but I am thinking of adding the new tote to the mix.

Nikes: I like to wear sneakers to soccer games because I usually end up kicking the ball with my kids either before or after the game.  I just can't help it! I feel like any tennis shoes that aren't running shoes are basically dress shoes! :)

Jeans: I am totally trying these babies out!  I am a big fan of jeans that look old....feel old....but are new.  Jeans are my favorite and I feel that you can NEVER have too many!  These are currently on sale 30% off, but they are ALWAYS having 40% off sales, so just hold out and snag them the second they hit 40%. They are called "girlfriend" jeans instead of the old trusty "boyfriend" jeans.  I think these will work much better for me because my "boyfriend/husband" and I could never really share jeans anyways.

Chair:  Chad and I have had our share of chairs over the years!  We have purchased the $10 chair, the overpriced chair with umbrella and foot rest, and every chair in between.  I am OVER IT!  I just wanted a comfortable chair that I can have all season long, that will breath in the summer heat....and is comfortable.  I feel like we have found our favorite chair!  My favorite part is that it has a mesh back so that I can feel the breeze blowing instead of just blocking it with the usual backing. 

I have received lots of requests for other sport shirts as well.....lacrosse, dance, cheer, gymnastics, football, basketball.....and everything you can keep of! I honestly am trying to come up with something that I love.....but the truth is....I know soccer and baseball. I know what I want to wear as I support my kids....and I am hoping that I get some amazing idea for the other sports as well. :) 

Half Marathon Training....What Works For Me

I have been meaning to write this post for months now!  I have also been meaning to start training for my upcoming half marathon for months as well....and they are basically both just getting done this week.

I run a local half marathon every year, and I truly love it!  I LOVE the excitement, the people watching, and just feeling alive and super proud of myself!  I don't, however, enjoy training for it!  I am not a hard core competitive runner, I am more like a girl who loves alone time and getting exercise....so running kind of just works out for me.

I never go fast, I never stop, I just go! I found this training schedule 4 years ago when I literally googled "10 weeks until half marathon help!".  I stuck to it.....did exactly what it said....and I finished the race without any problem at all!  I would say that, for me, this schedule seems to work just fine!

Over the last 3 years I have generally started my marathon training with only 6 weeks left.....so I just pick right up at that week and MAKE myself stick to the schedule.  THE ONLY THING I ALTER is that I NEVER run more than 10 miles before the actual race.  I get blisters on my toes, regardless of the socks, shoes, lotions.... EVERY single time I run longer than 10 miles....so I just don't do it!  I figure adrenalin and amazing people watching will just get me thru the last 3.1 miles on the actual race day!

This past year I have constantly gone for runs....some long...some short...but I am very consistent with running at least 3 nights a week.   I just wanted to point out that I am not just getting from the couch to starting a half marathon program in the middle of the schedule. 

As of today....I have just over 5 weeks until this years half marathon!  I started training on Tuesday (I switched tuesday and wednesday because I just felt like it!) with a 5 mile run, and it was actually no problem at all!  I had a pace of 9min 35 sec/mile the entire time and never got out of breath or felt like I wanted to stop.  I just put on pandora radio to "2014 best in pop music", turned on my garmin watch, and just ran around and around and around the park that my kids had practice at.

I am in NO way a serious runner or in the position to give real training advice....I just wanted to tell you my favorite running gear and schedule that seem to work for me. 

Garmin, gum, socks, shirt, pants

I have always used the nike app on my phone to track my runs, but I just felt like it wasn't very consistent...so Santa brought me this watch/tracker for Christmas! I have to say, I love it!  I have found that I check it less and let my body decide if I need to go faster or slower.  

This gum is a MUST for me when I am running over 4 miles.  I get bored, and thirsty, and I am not one that will carry around a bottle of water while I run.  I just don't want to carry it, and I honestly don't like the feeling of drinking while running.  The flavor doesn't last very long, but it randomly makes your mouth water and makes you feel like you have just had a few sips of gatorade.  It might be all in my head....but I swear by this stuff! 

I used to think it was absolutely CRAZY to have actual socks designated to running....BUT these socks are actually pretty amazing! I get blisters, BAD, and these socks seem to help pull the sweat away from your skin when you are running long distances.  Like I said....I am not a pro....I just know what I like...and I like these socks! If we are ever just short of making the "spend $50 and get $10 off" when we are shopping at Dicks...I always run back and grab a pair of these socks so that they are basically free! 

I really don't mind what type of shirt I wear when I run...I just don't like it too be too tight! I prefer thin shirts, even in the winter because I don't like having them cling to me.  This shirt is one of my favorites. 

I am iN LOVE with these pants! They are just so darn pretty and they hold everything in place, and don't show any sweat! I have come to learn that if there is one thing (other than shoes) that I will pay bigger bucks for...it is running pants. When you are running higher distances you realize that good pants really do help you out, and make for a much more comfortable run! 

This past has made me feel motivated for my run tonight....although...it is rainy and chilly so it would be nice to stay inside and drink tea...or wine.  :)