It's funny how the radio can play the right song at the perfect moment. Driving back from the beach last week I took a minute to look around our packed to the brim SUV and thought to myself, "this is us". This is my sweet little family. We are complete. I just wanted to bottle up the moment - keep us in a bubble. Keep everyone safe, happy and stress free as we were after a wonderful week of vacation. The radio first played Coldplay's Speed of Sound. That entire Coldplay album takes me back to my study abroad trip in London during college. That incredibly fun and life changing trip was almost 14 years ago. FOURTEEN. I had such little responsibility at that point in my life, compared to now. I was figuring out who I was and who I wanted to be. I was dancing the nights away in local pubs and exploring new parts of the world. I also had no idea what was in store for my future - I didn't yet know the three sweet people riding in the car alongside me. The song that followed was One Republic's Good Life (which ironically starts out with the lyric "Woke up in London yesterday..."). In that moment. That sweet little moment, with that song playing, I truly felt that I was living what the song was singing. This, I thought, is the good life. The past twelve weeks have been so sweet and special and beautiful but also exhausting and challenging at times. I've spent many moments just staring at my little fella and wanting time to just stand still. I've let an hour pass by rocking him while he sleeps. I've had my momma heartstrings tugged when all basic needs were met and yet he was still screaming his cute little head off. I've wondered if I was producing enough milk and stashing rough away to get by once I go back to work, paying enough attention to my little girl, late on getting us on a routine schedule, showing enough appreciation to my wonderful hubby and our family and friend community for everything they have done to support us during this time. There has been mom guilt, mom frustration and mom glory and I would go back and do it all again in a heartbeat if I could. Below are a few moments from this special time, including our nursery for our darling baby Shields. My how he has grown in 12 weeks! During my maternity leave, there are a few things that I did and didn't do.
May God bless and keep you always May your wishes all come true May you always do for others And let others do for you May you build a ladder to the stars And climb on every rung May you stay forever young May you grow up to be righteous May you grow up to be true May you always know the truth And see the lights surrounding you May you always be courageous Stand upright and be strong May you stay forever young May your hands always be busy May your feet always be swift May you have a strong foundation When the winds of changes shift May you stay forever young May your heart always be joyful May your song always be sung May you stay forever young Tomorrow starts a new chapter for the Pinkertons - my going back to work as a mother of two. My heart is a bit heavy tonight as I think about being away from my little fella for an extended period of time. I'm grateful for the past 3 months and the fact that it has allowed me to put into practice my word for the year - less - with less plans, less on my to do list and less stress from work-related needs. I'm planning to take a step back from blogging for a while too - so I can also focus less on thinking about what I should capture and write about and instead live even deeper and more present in the moments that matter.
It is also only fitting on this Memorial Day to mention how grateful I am to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Happy start of summer to all. May you find yourself experiencing many moments that make you feel completely and utterly elated.
0 Comments
I started this post a week before we met our handsome little guy but never finished. Here we are now almost two weeks later - our baby due date and a week after little man's birthday. All day, as I have stared at this beautiful tiny person cuddled so peacefully in my arms, I can't help but think, what a different a moment makes. In the weeks leading up to our becoming a family of four, I tried to be more present than ever with the time I had with Nora. She all of the sudden felt so big to me, so much closer to 4 than to 3 years old. We experienced her first haircut. A fun-filled Valentine's Day with heart-shaped waffles with sprinkles to start the day, a party at school in the middle and surprises from Daddy to his girls at the end. Daily Mary Poppins performances. Park and TCBY dates. Below are some of those moments captured leading to our growing our family by one! Since there was the possibility of meeting our little guy earlier than expected, I had caught a deal via my daily email from the website www.jane.com for these cute Valentine's tags and bags at the end of December and decided to order to have on hand for Nora to fill and take to her classmates. They turned out so cute and Nora's teachers said the kids loved them (even though my little gal is picky about eating fruit!) This is a great non-candy idea to remember for next year, mama friends! I was a bit hesitant to say yes to a sprinkle for baby number two but my sweet cousin, sister-in-law and bestie were so gracious to ask and be willing to gather a group to celebrate the upcoming arrival of our baby boy. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our wonderful tribe of friends and family and truly felt that our needs for being back in "baby world" with touches of blue vs. pink this go round were met in such a special way. The venue (Reids SouthPark) was absolutely lovely and all of the special touches were so very much appreciated. I will share more about baby boy's first few days soon but Brad, Nora and I are just so thrilled to announce the arrival of our little guy and grateful for all for the thoughts and happy wishes we have received leading up to and since his birth. Shields Walker Pinkerton March 1, 2019 1:22 p.m. 7lbs, 12oz, 20in Oh what a different a moment makes. Since 1:22pm last Friday, my heart has been so incredibly full. This little guy is the most precious gift. It is hard to believe how much I had forgotten in the 3 years and 8 months since we were in this time with Nora and also how quickly those memories come rushing back - the sounds, the feel of baby in your arms, the innocence, the love. Time slows down and all of the happenings in the world around us are distant from my mind. My word for 2019 was "less". Just in the past 7 days alone, I have embraced that word. It's ok to stay in pajamas well into the afternoon, to sit here and stare at Shields as he sleeps on my lap, to let so many other possible to-dos stay on that to-do list.
I came across the below quote the other day and thought it was fitting for this time. I was worried about how this transition was going to be - how I was going to adjust to being a mom of two. This is a great reminder for me in the now - speaking to spending "less" time worrying about being good enough and remaining grateful for the wonderful people in my life who are here to help and love on me. Thanks again, tribe! “All those things that you’re worried about are not important. You’re going to be OK. Better than OK. You’re going to be great. Spend less time tearing yourself apart, worrying if you’re good enough. You are good enough. And you’re going to meet amazing people in your life who will help you and love you.” - Reese Witherspoon Love to all - it's feeding time! Be elated, My takeaway from last week's church sermon, in a message delivered by Pastor Kallam, was this - "It's not what is happening around you that matters. It is what is happening within you." There has been a lot of sadness and hurt around us - in the world, in our local community and even in close circles. One could say that this is just life but for some reason, as of recent, it has seemed heavier. It is important to be able to take a look within. Where is your heart? Where do your priorities lie? Is there an inner stirring within you telling you something you need to hear? If you are able to focus not so much on the happenings surrounding your day to day, get off social media for a hot second and truly search your heart, what would it be telling you? Mine has been a tug to explore where and to whom I'm giving the best parts of me. There has been a lot of talk about seasons...this season that we are in...it's only for a season...talking about parenthood. I'm kind of tired of talking about this so called period of time as a season. But, I trust that it truly is just that. I'm finding 3 to be a challenging age. It tests my patience. My sweet little darling can go from snuggling on the sofa with me telling me she loves me one moment to yelling and screaming at me the next, demanding a change in whatever princess attire she is currently rocking...and, while I'm helping her, ordering me to get her a snack of goldfish and apple juice. She does a good job of usually tacking on a please at the end, but boy oh boy do we need to work on that tone. God knew what he was doing when he made her cute. The struggles of working mamas are real. (And, for all you SAHMs...your struggles are just as real!) During the hours of 8-5 M-F, I give it my all. I care probably more than I should about the tasks I'm given, so much so that they often bleed over into time outside of the normal work day. When I get home, I'm often spent. Done. Not able to give much more of myself to the most important people in my world, because my cup is already so close to empty. I'm having to take a real close look within. To examine my priorities. This so called season will not last forever but, I certainly don't want to blink, fast forward a handful of years, and look back with regret about the decisions I made with regards to who got the best parts of me. If this sounds like you too, just know you are not alone. These heart stirrings make us pause and consider if we need to redirect or refocus how we do life. And, sometimes, the right answer is not exactly what you had planned. Here are some memorable moments from the past couple months... Birthday fun - the big 35 - kicked it off with a donut date with my little lady and ended it with my mama, Reese Witherspoon, and a little talk about being southern and baking biscuits (I still plan to try the scratch-made cheddar biscuit recipe from the book one of these days!) Fall break adventures with Nana and Pop at Smith Mountain Lake...simple moments of ice cream, feeding the fish and sweet family. Beautiful fall Saturdays at the park...it was hard not to look around us that day and just soak in the sunshine and special time together. Trying to make mornings easier! In an effort to get us out of the house quicker and to not to fight over what Nora is wearing, I bought this cubby. On Sunday evenings, she gets to pick out her outfit for each day of the week. Week one - worked beautifully on Monday then the rest of the week was a fight with her not wanting to wear what she had chosen. Week two - incentivized with a treat at the end of the week if she wore each item in her cubby all five days. Worked very well! The weeks following have been overall a success, with some weeks better than others. I'm calling it a mommy win in my book. Helping mom bake pumpkin chocolate chip cookies (and being the official taste tester!) If you are in need of a quick and easy Thanksgiving dessert before pumpkin season is behind us, this 3-ingredient cookie recipe is yummy and super simple. Halloween fun! Nora decided on Ariel for her costume a month or so ahead of the holiday and stuck with it. We were in full on mermaid costume pretty much every day after it arrived. She had a ball and it was fun to watch her play dress up and get into character. Her "Part of Your World" game was strong. If you haven't seen it, pick up a copy of the Magnolia Journal, the publication by Joanna Gaines and team. It's a good read and different than your typical magazine. I enjoy having a subscription. In each copy, they have a page listing what she and Chip call the Magnolia Manifesto. Out of the points they make, the following resonated with me. "In seeking the balance between Hustle and rest and striving to be passionate about both: a leisurely first cup of coffee to start the day mindfully and then at a day's end not clocking out from a job until you're proud." And finally, from one Sunday sermon to the next, today's was just what I needed to hear. I hope the verse it focused on speaks to you as it did to me, especially as we enter this week of Thanksgiving ahead. While what matters is what is happening within us, if you do look at what is happening all around us, my goodness, there is so much for which to be grateful. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7 Warm wishes for a lovely Thanksgiving, friends.
Be elated, We announced to the world on Thanksgiving Day that we are joyfully awaiting the arrival of a baby boy in March of next year! After 3 years, I am not sure I can say I felt 100% ready to add another little one to our family, but I felt like we weren't complete and knew that, until we took this next big step, I would have a bit of a void as I looked into the future. Sweet hubby was on board whenever I was (he's a great daddy) and the day before Nora's third birthday, I took the test (ok, 3) and they all said baby on the way! I've enjoyed my time with Nora so much, giving her all of my attention, and like the freedom that one kiddo and two parents provides. We are in for a big change, and to be honest, I'm a bit terrified. I have a hard time imagining how I will handle getting three of us out the door in the morning, another little human yearning for momma's attention, the ups and downs that breastfeeding and pumping brings, even less time to focus on my marriage....the list goes on and on. And, though Nora is excited, we are about to rock her little world as well! Before posting what ended up being a lovely family photo on Thanksgiving Day for our announcement, we had attempted a time earlier that was a fail. Nora was not cooperating and it was kind of a last minute try to get us all to pose (with the balloon I picked up at Harris Teeter) while Brad's mom was over. The above was the best we could get so I gave up and decided we would attempt again another time. Success! But not in total. I had purchased the cutest little Turkey appliqué jumper from Shrimp & Grits Kids for Nora to wear for the holiday. She would. not. wear. it. Not a "pretty please", "you cannot come downstairs until you put it on", "just for the photo?", or bribe would work. Sometimes, it simply is not worth the fight. At the end of the day, we got some cute photos of our family of 3, plus baby bump, to announce our special news. Soon after we found out we were pregnant, a house in our desired neighborhood dropped in price so we went to take a look. The mix of emotions, hormones and thoughts of soon needing more space sent us on a whirlwind of house-looking, dreaming, budget review, tough discussions and decisions. While looking and dreaming is such fun, we decided to take one big change at a time and to stay put for, at least, the next couple years. Having that decision allowed me to think about how we were going to make our current home work. We are planning to give our kitchen an update soon after the new year with new paint on the walls and cabinets (goodbye 1994 brown oak!) We are leaving Nora in our smaller bedroom but she was upgraded to a big girl bed (love this pink Jenny Lind-style bed find at Walmart.com!) We are going to use our larger guest bedroom as a joint guest room / baby boy nursery space. We'll keep our double bed in there and update the room decor to make it perfect for our little man on the way. In honor of his daddy's baseball past, I'm pulling some inspiration from the baseball quote below and will be adding some other themed items. I'm going with some light blue / cream colors and some fun accent pillows for our guest bed. Find the "Be Our Guest" picture here and Babe Ruth quote picture here. We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday in Roanoke. How sweet are these photos of my little gal with her Nana making French toast?! She is wearing the little apron I had as a little girl. Nora is a great helper in the kitchen. She loved helping me with these Cranberry Brie Bite appetizers. This was a yummy and easy app that would also be perfect for the Christmas holiday. Grab the recipe here. When you are in charge of apps, there is also nothing better than a pretty cheese display. Along with a block of havarti dill and some toast crackers, we had veggies and pine nut hummus and some mozzarella, artichoke, salami skewers with an herb dressing drizzle. More special memories captured with the ones I love... The day after Thanksgiving, we ventured downtown for lunch and to see the Christmas Trees at Hotel Roanoke. There was a special spot for Nora to write her Christmas list and drop in the mail to Santa. Luckily, her list is manageable and has stayed pretty consistent for the past month and a half or so. Makes Santa's job a bit easier! As I did last year, we are going to stay consistent with Santa bringing three presents, like the wise men brought to baby Jesus. Mom and Dad's gifts include something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read. "Wear" is always Christmas jammies that Nora will get to open on Christmas Eve. It is fun to start these family traditions. We also kicked off the holiday season with a tree lighting and Santa arrival at one of our local shopping centers. Watching the awe and wonder on our little lady's face is so precious. We picked up this fun Gingerbread kit at Fresh Market last weekend as a good activity during the ice storm. Nora had fun making her creation! There are so many holiday happenings around town! It is hard to choose but, instead of feeling the pressure to fit in too much, we have a couple traditions we have started. One is going uptown to see the bear symphony (which we did today with friends!) and the other is to go to gingerbread lane at the Ballantyne Resort. Each year, we will mix in one or two new or special holiday activities as well. Hope everyone is having a festive and fun weekend!
Be elated, Disconnect. Recharge. Break away from the everyday and experience the sweetness of simple joys. That, my friends, is vacation. As much as I love being on vaca, I have a bit of a struggle breaking away from responsibility at home. But, as I sit here and watch my little lady snooze away during her nap after a busy morning of sunshine and play, and as I look out to the palm trees swaying in the warm breeze with the waves crashing slightly beyond, I am reminded what a gift this time away from normal is. I may have just scanned my emails an deleted those not needed in an effort to reduce the overwhelm that can come from a week away but, I am, for the most part, disconnected and incredibly incredibly thankful. I have always been a lover of summer but for some reason this summer is feeling different. I'm experiencing great pressure to fill summer to the brim with activity for Nora and am nervous about the change of pace and breaking the comfort of our daily routine. I brought this up at my recent small group meeting and one dear mama friend said, "Be ok with your nanny and Nora staying home. She will play differently with Nora than you do." I hadn't thought of it that way and took that as a signal to give myself some grace and to, as Nora would sing, "let it go" and let summer unfold as it will. I've posted this before but Jess Connolly produced her third "Summer to Thrive" guide - a free intentional guide to soaking up the season. It is a wonderful tool for anyone struggling with the shifting rhythms that this season brings. Check out all of Jess Connolly's wonderful products, including the inspirational items at All Good Things Collective. I've struggled a bit recently with motherhood, wondering if I'm giving enough, doing enough, loving enough. I do have thoughts of 20s-envy - a time where life was more fun in some ways but selfish in many ways and certainly without some of the amazing joys of my todays. This recent Mother's Day, I found myself looking at Nora and thinking, I may not always love being a mom, but I will ALWAYS love being HER mom. One thing that Jess Connolly mentions in her "Summer to Thrive" guide are non-negotiables - things that we have to do - every season. The exercise included in the packet asks you to make note of these items - those you must remain faithful to during the summer season. But, she notes that as you write each one, you should thank God for bringing it into your life. She. notes, whatever it is, it is an opportunity for abundance. Thus the title of this post. You know one of mine? Celebrating life milestones of my dear friends and family members. Below is a picture from a recent shower where we celebrated the upcoming arrival of sweet baby boy Lucas (who was welcomed into the world that night!) and one with my dear college friend, Bucleigh, who is having a miracle baby girl. We have the privilege to be part of two weddings this summer - my dear college friend and Charlotte-roomie Laura and my little brother to his beautiful fiancé, Alison. Celebrating alongside these sweet people is a non-negotiable in my book. And, what opportunity for abundance each celebratory event brings! Abundance of love, laughter, fun and life-giving joy! When I think about summer food, I think light, healthy and fresh. My go-to recently has been large salad platters that serve Brad and me, plus leftovers, or a crowd. I plan to live on this type of eating for the summer months ahead. My go-to items:
I wish for all reading this a summer week similar to ours, filled with happiness, laughter and stress-free joy. I hope you will find space to give yourself grace this summer season, to soak up the simple things and to sit back and be aware of sweet memories being made. I brought along Emily Ley's "A Simplified Life" book and again was reminded how many great tips and lessons she shares in this good read. I hope you will remember the following words of Ms. Ley: "You are multidimensional, wildly captivating, and uniquely, extravagantly wonderful just as God made you." Warm wishes for a fantastic holiday weekend ahead. May you be fully present of each opportunity for true abundance that comes your way.
Be elated, This face. Or should I say faces. It seems that Nora's personality explodes a little more each and every day. January can often seem like a cold dull month after the excitement of the holidays and before we reach the glorious springtime months. We have made do by celebrating friends birthdays, Saturday shopping dates with a stop at Starbucks for a cake pop and of course a little fun in the snow... While we only played for about 30 minutes, we had such fun using Nora's new pink sled and building our mini snowman - "let's call him Frosty, mom!" Hard to believe the snow fun was just a few days ago and today we are out grocery shopping without a jacket on. Loving this change to 60s! If only we could get rid of the constant cough and congestion that has followed our family for a few weeks. So many people are doing Whole 30 right now - more power to you all! Diet changes in moderation for me...such as "dry first week of January" and making wise choices to add more fruits, veggies and whole grains into mealtime. I know avocado toast is the rage right now but it really is a yummy morning treat to kick start your day. This simple version is just mashed avocado, a squeeze of lemon juice, salt, pepper and a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese on whole grain bread. Or, a simple salad with English cucumbers, heirloom tomatoes (which are so pretty!), sliced mozzarella, and a drizzle of balsamic and olive oil. Add a little whole grain pasta and shredded rotisserie chicken and this is a fantastic lunch. We enjoyed a fun visit from my cousin, "Auntie Miss Paige" per NKP, last weekend. She joined me for the book signing with Emily Ley at Swoozies. First off, if you are like me, walk in the door at Swoozies and I'm instantly overcome with happiness - everything is just so darn pretty, colorful, and fun! We were one of the last in line but Emily Ley was kind and gracious. I had her sign my A Simplified Life book and Paige picked up her earlier read - Grace Not Perfection. I recommend both! Also new for 2018 is a refresh to our master bedroom. After living in our house for 4+ years and not showing much love to this room, it was time. Hubby gifted me with a new duvet and shams. I had been searching for new bedding for a while and not coming across anything that I loved or that was not too feminine. Bedding in a friend's newborn shoot caught my attention and I was sold. We also added drapes, which truly complete a space. We haven't added drapes to many of our rooms because we have shutters on every window. But, I'm in love - it softens the look of the room and adds a pop of color. Bedding and drapes are both from Ballard Designs. The new SouthPark store is swoon-worthy! Today I picked up a piece of art to go above the bed (not yet hung!) I am drawn to art that has words and inspirational messages on them. Nora and I were at Tuesday Morning yesterday (Charlotte friends - somewhat of a hidden store in Providence Promenade but much nicer than any Tuesday Morning I've been to previously!) This piece says HOPE and I like the thought of waking up to that word which inspires an expectation for what the day ahead will bring. Still need to work on furniture for the room but I'm really loving where we've started with our little update. Finally, welcome to spring 2018 with Mary & Martha! The new line officially launches on February 1. I am loving the new Fresh Joy collection and the God Made Just One lunch totes (available to be monogrammed!) Grab a sneak peek below by clicking on the video links. I also invite you to join my Facebook group if you'd like to be updated every so often about special deals. I really only post one or two times a month! I would love for you to visit my little online shop if you are searching for the perfect gift for a friend or family member (or for yourself!) Mary & Martha speaks to The Table...the most important piece of furniture in your home. This is where stories are told and life is shared. This is where you serve one another with encouragement. Mary & Martha speaks to Your Home. A place to rest, a place to love, a place to share. These items help you to feel confident in your home, to open your doors and to let others in. Mary & Martha Kids helps families weave God into the fabric of their children's everyday lives - one moment at a time. Also new for 2018 is Nora's desire to be called Princess Tiger Sister Elsa Ballerina. How's that for a mouthful? Love that imaginative little personality.
May you embrace all things new for this year ahead and surround yourself with the people and possessions that bring you joy. Be elated, A calm and humble life, 'tis the season, + God of the hills and valleys...you are not alone11/12/2017 "A calm and humble life will bring more happiness than the pursuit of success and the constant restlessness that comes with it." - Albert Einstein Hello dear friends, I do hope you are enjoying a restful weekend sprinkled with smiles and joyful moments. I'm enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon while the others in my house nap. The cool dreary November day is certainly good for hunkering down and being cozy. I have pot roast in the crockpot, have made a casserole for both us and for friends with a new little one, and some 3-ingredient pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Those yummy smells fill my house, along with Bath and Body Works' candle "Flannel" which is such a great fall scent. The above Einstein quote has been on my heart a good bit recently. As I've mentioned before, it seems that so many around me right now are battling with feelings of restlessness in the season of now - mid-30s, balancing work life and home life, being tired but having lots of responsibility - feeling like the to-do list is forever long, that we are giving so much to so many, and not giving anything truly well. It is darn hard. I've been struggling a lot recently with the question of what comes next - do I stay on the career path and ride that to greater success or consider letting the job take a backseat to being mom and enjoying my little one. Letting go of certain things means considering other sacrifices. But, in that same vein, not letting go of career success can also mean sacrifice in other ways. It's a tough season, but oh so precious, and one I don't want to pass me by too quickly. The search for contentment and happiness continues. Perhaps you are feeling the same way. If so, just know you are not alone. We had a fun time celebrating Halloween with our little tiger this year. Nora had a parade and party at school that morning and we enjoyed going trick-or-treating at several houses and spending time around a fire pit with some new neighbor friends. Last weekend, mom and dad were here. I always love when they come to visit. We hardly ever make plans. Instead, everyone seems happy just hanging out at home enjoying being together. Below is a fun moment captured with Nana and Nora. Such sweet times. I've started to get ahead on some holiday shopping. Nora and I ventured out to the mall yesterday. When we got home and Brad asked what she saw at the mall, she said "Christmas." She loved the lights, wonder, and seeing Santa ("ho ho") from afar. I also attempted to snap a few Christmas card worthy shots myself. It was a fail. I need a professional. Below is an example of how it went. Take 2 please! While I'm on the subject of Christmas, how cute are these holiday mugs? Great for a teacher or gifts for loved ones. Available, along with other fun holiday pretties, in my Mary & Martha shop! The song Hills and Valleys by Tauren Wells is a current favorite of mine. I listen to it often while getting ready in the morning and put it on once or twice during the day. The words are powerful and have a calming sense to them at the same time. Take a listen below. Tauren speaks to our God giving and taking away. He is there for us in the good and in the bad. We all know someone in a deep valley - hurting. And, there are those in our lives who are in a wonderful and beautiful place. The song is a reminder that through the joy and through the pain, He is above it all. (*You will likely have to click the link below to take you to you tube to listen - it's worth it!) Wishing everyone a beautiful week ahead.
Be elated, The picture above has nothing to do with this post but I had to show off this sweet little lady. She insisted on wearing her cowgirl boots with this precious little dress to church a couple Sundays ago. I just love her sense of style and independence. She certainly makes this momma's heart smile.
Ah, welcome 34. Yes, 34 – I know – when on earth did this happen!?! Mentally, I stopped at 27. Here were the thoughts that ran through my head the morning of Tuesday, September 19th, my birthday:
September 19th fell on a Tuesday. For anyone who knows me, I do like to celebrate my birthday. And, I feel it should be a day that one gets to do whatever they please – whatever makes them happiest. I didn’t have the luxury of doing so this year so I was already thinking that it was just going to feel like any other day and certainly nothing special. Early in the day, I was asked how it feels to be 34. I responded by spewing out several of the above mentioned thoughts. This person continued to say, “It really doesn’t matter how old you are, as long as you are happy where you are in your life.” What a concept. Am I? Hmm. I wouldn’t say that I am 100% content, and certainly not fully comfortable being me at this moment. As the day went on, I was showered with happy wishes from a number of friends and acquaintances. I was reminded of people who had crossed my path in previous points in my life. I recalled happy memories. I became extremely grateful for my story. I’m not perfect. I’m not superwoman. I’m not totally and completely fulfilled. But, at the same time, I am not finished. I am a work in progress. I am blessed. I recalled one of the opening lines from the movie “Home Again” that I had just seen with my girlfriends over the weekend, which said regarding a birthday, “this is your day, your year.” A lot can happen in a year. We can re-evaluate next September. We get to choose how we live out tomorrow. We get to pick our goals. 34 is going to be alright. In fact, it may just be pretty fantastic. I’m surrounded by good people. I’m willing to give myself grace. I’m going to choose joy. Thank you to all who showered me with happy wishes for my special day. It truly meant the world. xoxo. Be elated, Emily Ya'll...I'm sitting here at Dean and Deluca, sipping an iced latte and kid free for the afternoon. It is wonderful - especially after the long week we just had. But, it is also a challenge because there are 1,048,5873,474,593,847 ways I could use these precious alone hours! I could shop (been needing a few staples as we head into fall), clean out my closet (to make room for some new...goodness knows, there are a bunch of items in there I haven't worn in years!), grocery shop and meal prep, work out (yeah...probably not), catch up on work that didn't get accomplished this past week so that I can feel more prepared for the week ahead, and the list goes on... So far, I've made a few of my normal stops - picked up a few items at Marshall's and used my $10 off of $30 coupon at Bath and Body Works (plus buy 2, get 2 candles - yes please!) Hubby thinks we should own stock in B&BW with the amount of candles I purchase from that store. And, as I wait to meet my friend for a pedicure (would you care for a glass of wine? Is that even a question?), I decided to set up shop at my old Phillips Place stomping grounds to blog a bit since this little creative outlet has been a bit neglected over the past few weeks. So, all that said, I've decided to use this time for"want to dos" and not "need to dos". This little cutie started back at school this week. She's in the Butterfly class. She had such a wonderful time last year and, after a fun summer off, was a little apprehensive about her new room. Like her mommy, she doesn't very much like mornings and would rather ease into her day. Mornings this past week were rough in our house. Nights were a bit tough as well. I'm hopeful next week will be better. But, goodness gracious, this momma is tired. I have also had some changes at the workplace that have ended up taking more of my brain power and time. There are so many challenges being a working momma...and I just have one little human to care for! Don't know how you moms with multiples do it. Bless your hearts. That takes me to the time that decided I could handle a "side hustle" on top of being a mommy, wife, and full-time working gal. When I think about why I joined Mary & Martha, it was because I loved the products and believed that this little business could be something that would be all mine and that could fill that "creative void" I felt I had. But, it takes time. It takes energy. And, there is a negative stigma right now with anything direct sales. Yet, why do people do this? To give them flexibility and the chance to earn some money...be it for need or for fun! That all said, I am excited to share with you that there are some truly LOVELY things in the fall catalog. I hope you'll take a chance to browse and to think about those in your life you might be shopping for in the months ahead. These stationery sets are an August special! Shop the Hello Hope or Beautiful Life collections here. Usually $48, you can get either set this month for just $28. This Joy Nested Bowl Set (3) is a favorite of mine and is 50% off ($28!) - GRAB it by midnight Monday at this price...for you or for a gift! Shop here. Shop the catalog here. I would love to help you fill your home and gift your friends and family with pretty things that share inspirational and meaningful messages. As I wrap up this note to you, I'm now hanging out in bed, eating pretzels and hummus, drinking La Croix, and re-watching (yes, re-watching) last week's episode of the Real Housewives of OC. It is glorious. I hope you are having a wonderful day. As I recently read somewhere, "Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time." I'm grateful for today. I'm grateful for this "me" time. I am satisfied with my decision to fill my today with the things that have brought me joy.
Be elated, Let that quote sink in, friends. So good, right?!? We all like to be comfortable - it feels great to know what you're doing and to feel good about your place and your space. In your comfort zone, you have routine down pat, are an expert in your field, and have some sense of work life balance. But, quite often, just when you truly arrive at this place of comfort, something changes - a shift in management in the workplace, a request to join a committee or a group that will take a bit more of your time, or (hypothetically) hello plus sign pregnancy test! Life is too short to stay in the comfort lane. Breaking out of that place of "I've got this" means new experiences, grand adventures, and, at the end of the day, the satisfaction of having a life well lived. So, in the spirit of embarking on grand adventures and shaking things up a bit, the hubby and I are Spain-bound come October! We have been talking for a while about a 5th year anniversary trip this fall. I've been pushing for more of a super nice domestic getaway (let's face it, this momma is having a hard time thinking about being so far from my little peanut for a week!) but the Mister was set on an out of the country shindig and made it pretty clear he was going with or without me. We'll be flying to Barcelona and, now that the flights are booked, are ready to plan our excursions and must-dos while abroad. Any advice is welcome from those who have traveled there before! This past week officially marked start to summer for me. Summer work hours started, we had a new nanny come to our home to care for Nora, and the beauty of a more relaxed schedule set in. We also celebrated Brad! His birthday was Thursday. His mom, "Mimi", came and scooped up Nora for a sleep over at her house that night so that I could take the birthday boy out for a night on the town. She was so cute all packed up and ready to go with her sunglasses and backpack. We are so grateful to have my mother-in-law close by. I headed uptown to meet my hot date who was awaiting my arrival at The Punch Room on the 15th floor of the Ritz (swanky, huh!?) This was totally out of the box for us. We had yummy gin-blackberry cocktail to start the evening. We then decided to venture out to a Spanish restaurant to celebrate our recently booked tickets to Barcelona. It was a delicious meal and such a fun evening celebrating my guy. Today is Father's Day. Happy happy to all the dads out there. I am so grateful for my daddy. He has been a fantastic influence in my life and has sacrificed and worked so hard for our family. I'm also grateful for my sweet hubby and the father he is to our little lady. The bond he and Nora have is priceless and so often melts my heart. I know this is also a day of sadness and reflection for those who no longer have their earthly dads here to hug. Today, I think about you and pray for you as you celebrate their memory. One of my gifts to my sweet dad was this fabric letter. This option, and others, are available in my Mary & Martha shop and is such a meaningful and unique gift. My parents came to town the end of last week for a visit and to help with Nora in the time between school ending and our nanny starting (they are the best!) I literally threw together this dinner with a couple items I already had on hand and a few additions I picked up from the store. It was a great, easy, and impressive summer meal! Pre-seasoned pork tenderloin - 4-5 hours on low in the crock pot. A package of fancy ravioli with pesto, and asparagus with olive oil, lemon juice, parmesan, and tomatoes. Mary & Martha is having a great June sale! If you are like me, I always say I'm going to start my Christmas shopping early. I know that the holidays seem very far away at this point but when you have deals like this, it is great to go ahead and grab some goodies to put away in your gift closet for later (just don't forget they are there!) Or, perhaps you have some birthday ladies or kiddos to soon celebrate. These items are going quick (the caddy pictured below is already sold out!) so grab them from my shop soon. I invite you to join my VIP Facebook Group called "Living in the &" Insiders. I started this group to be a place to share quotes and stories that inspire and to discuss the many titles that we wear on a daily basis (that's the "&" - we are daughters and sisters, mothers and wives, friends and neighbors, colleagues and entrepreneurs...and the list goes on and on!) Mary & Martha product specials and gift ideas will also be shared. All who wish to love generously, live beautifully, and be elated are welcome. Join me today!
Have a great rest of the weekend, friends. Be elated, |
AuthorMy name is Emily Pinkerton. I believe that a full life is one overflowing with good friends and sweet family, delicious food and wine, and beautiful things. ELATED is my outlet for documenting the special moments and things in life that make me happiest. It is my space to share them with you. I hope you will be inspired. Remember to love generously, live beautifully and be ELATED. Archives
February 2019
Categories |