As The Leaves Fall

Fall is here.  In case you didn't already know that...I mean, I've literally been in denial since Labor Day, but last week as the calendar glared the reality that Fall has indeed arrived, I have no choice but to accept this reality.  I was out on a walk recently with my daughter noticing the slightly cooler temperatures and perhaps, maybe a leaf or two along the sidewalk, when my denial slowly began to crack.

I don't hate Fall, but I do love Summer.  I love the Sunny days and warmth - I love having need for the air conditioner to be on.  I love beaches, wearing my cut-off shorts and tank tops and flip-flops, and never worrying weather I've worn enough layers on a certain day.  That being said, I'm gaining a new appreciation for Fall - especially after last year's Fall firsts.  And, well, Starbuck's Salted Caramel Mochas have been helping with the transition too.

Here are a few things we'll be looking forward to this Fall:

 1.  Apple Picking - We went for the first time last year and had a ton of fun.  Zion loved riding around in the little Radio Flyer wagon they provided us with as we picked from many different varieties of apples to take home and enjoy.

 2.  Baking - A huge family tradition in the Fall and leading up to the holiday season is baking - everything from cookies, to candies and even cupcakes too.  Pictured above - pumpkin cupcakes with nutella buttercream frosting!

 3.  Fall Decor - I love the warm colors of Fall, and this year I'm in looking forward to getting a little  bit crafty and adding that warmth to our home.  I loved making this royal purple and bronze wreath last year.

 4.  Did I mention I love coffee?  I also love making fancy coffee drinks at home.  Though I do enjoy coffee year round, I give myself special permission to indulge in fancy coffees (peanut butter chocolate mocha anyone) as we inch towards the holidays.

5.  Pumpkin patch!  I can't wait for Zion to pick out a pumpkin.  We aren't big halloween people, but we still enjoy harvesting a pumpkin or two - and roasting the seeds!

What are you looking forward to this Fall?

I ♥ Julep Maven #Pinning!!

"Pinning!" is a Weekly Pinterest Link-Up

(Share pins, meet others who love "Pinning", get inspired!)

First Time?  It's simple just follow these rules:

 Please follow your hosts' blogs & Pinterest boards: 

Courtney // Baxtron{Life} //

Kimberly // A Night Owl //

And your Co-Hosts:

Jen and Rachel // Just Us Three Design //

Heidi // Mustache Mama //

then

 Link up your Pinterest Inspired Post & Profile below

and

Make sure you link back to the party!

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i <3 Julep Maven

I've become quite a fan of Julep Nail Colors and Beauty products over the last several months.  First thing I should mention is that Julep is based out of Seattle and that makes their company instantly on my radar.  Second, they offer the best beauty box I've found.  Each month I get a box containing at least two nail colors plus a surprise product.  The value of the box is always over $40, and the product is always full size!  My cost per month?  $20, including shipping.  So this week on Pinning - I want to pay hommage to this great brand and company by showing some of my previous boxes and some of the best nail art I've seen.

My first Julep Maven Box // Classic with a Twist

Featuring 2 Polishes, Shaper & Hand Treatment

My July Maven Box // Classic with a Twist

Featuring 2 Polishes + Bonus 4th of July Inspired Polish & Lip Creme

My August Maven Box // Classic with a Twist

Featuring 2 Polishes (not shown) and the best Polish Remover ever!

My September Julep Maven Box // Entire Trina Turk Collection ($30 Upgrade)

Featuring 10 Polishes & 2 Mascaras!

What I'm expecting in my October Box! (I added 2 Polishes)

One of the things I love about the Julep Maven program is the ability to make changes up front.  You get emails letting you know when the new boxes are up - and you have a four day window to make changes (upgrade, switch boxes, add-on product or skip the box) before billing occurs.

I also love the Julep blog - where I can find great ways to dress up my nails specific to the colors/trends of the season and specific to my Julep style and box.  Here are a few of my favorite designs using Julep Nail Polish.

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P.S.  This post is not sponsored by Julep, I just really enjoy their beauty box program - and think you'll love it too!! <3

THANK YOU to all who linked up last week!

Each week a winner is chosen to flaunt the title of "Winning at Pinning" for successfully wowing us with the best Pinterest find.  The winner will be featured/announced in the following week's post!

WANT TO BE A GUEST JUDGE or HOST? 

Email us!

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Come on, everyone is doing it.  

Join us MONDAYS for weekly sharing of Pinterest finds.  

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Click this link here, then the Owl on the left!

Riddle Me This Most Absurd Spam Comment Ever

I present to you, for your enjoyment the most ridiculous spam comment I have ever received:

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Please, somebody tell me what the "sexual practice of an albuminoid" is?

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Show off your Etsy Shop

On this week's Link & Mingle - Etsy has been added - so link up so we can see all of your lovely shops and add them to our favorites! <3 <3

The long of it is, the "Link and Mingle: Sisters in Blogging Social Media Linkup". The short is, the "Link & Mingle". Call it what you wish. :)

Meet our weekly hosts!

Shaylee Ann | Mother {at} Heart

Kim | Singledou[b]t
Kendra | Adventures of Brad & Kendra
Courtney | Thoughts From the Birdhouse
Britt | Yellow Umbrella
Courtney | Baxtron{Life}
April | Dimples and Delights

and for this week's co-host, we have
Mallory | The Grace of Southern Charm

Thank you, ladies!

The "rules" are thus:
visit/follow/like as many links as you can,

link up to as many social media sites that apply to you (please link up only links that apply - blog posts and other links that do not apply will be removed),

share, tweet, and blog about this link party if you so wish,

grab the button {below},

and have fun meeting new people!

Links are connected to each header, to show you just what you should link up. :)

We would love it if you followed all of your hosts and co-hosts! Have fun! :)

If you would be interested in co-hosting this party periodically, send an email to {shaylee.motheratheart@gmail.com}.

Want to have this blog hop on your site? Click the URL at the bottom of each linkup to get the code. Tweet #link&mingle if you post the hop!

Alright, ladies! Button-up, link-up, and meet-up! :)

Tweet

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Thank you for linking up!

Come back next Thursday for another round of the Link & Mingle!

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Fridays Letters on A Wednesday

I know its not Friday - but I have to purge early and I decided it might be easiest to just purge ala "letters" style.  So here goes...

Dear Security Guard at Trader Joes, you have a lot of nerve asking me if I know I have to pay for the cheesestick I fed my melting down 2 year old who was behaving as if I'd starved her for a week.  How convenient of you to miss out on the fact that she is strapped in a shopping cart filled to the brim with food and the rest of the cheesesticks in their package are right there.  Do I look like I'm about to run out the door without paying?  Would I be filling my cart this full of food if I didn't have money to pay for these items?  I don't care if we live in NYC, a place where crazy people do seem to be in abundance, that was just RUDE.

Dear Store Manager at Trader Joes, thank-you for being unavailable for me to stop and vent my (above-mentioned) frustrations today - you helped me grow a little in my faith - and allowed me to hear God's reminder that it is righteous to overlook an offense.

Dear Neck, Back & Shoulders - seriously? I did a 10 minute ab workout, thats it - don't act like I just lifted twice my bodyweight above my head - cause I didn't.  Please, stop spasming and just release and relax!

Dear Salted Caramel Chocolate (anything - mocha, hot chocolate, candybar, truffle, ice cream)- you are an evil temptress, when I see you I convince myself that I have to have you.  Very little battle - you always win.

Dear Paleo/Crossfit - everything I learn about you makes me excited to change my life.  And nothing has felt more right in terms of eating and fitness than the sweet things you speak of in the many books and blogs I'm currently reading.

Dear Husband - I have to say, I am so grateful that you give me the reassurance I need even when I am being incredibly silly.  I love you.

Dear "No!"'s that keep coming out of my Daughter's mouth - cease and desist.

Dear Fall - alright, alright, you win!  I guess you aren't so bad after all - I mean I do have ALL THESE THINGS to look forward to.  <3

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Instagram Blog Hop

Welcome to week 25 of our Instagram Blog Hop! New to the party? The Instagram Blog Hop is a place for you to link up your Instagram account and find FUN, new Instagram friends!

Here are the RULES:

1. Follow your HOSTS on Instagram:

Ashlyn | @loveeashlyn of Let It Be Beautiful 

Emily | @mrsemshhh of The Pink Elephant 

Kimberly | @anightowlblog of A Night Owl

2. Follow your CO-HOSTS on Instagram:

Courtney | @baxtronlife of Baxtron{Life}

You can find Courtney here: 

Instagram :: Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest

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Kristina | @mama2sillysophia of Big Apple Mami

You can find Kristina here: 

Instagram :: Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest

3. Check out and follow a couple fellow IGers. 

Tell folks you follow that you found them through the Hop!

4. Spread the word! 

Tweet  

Grab a button HERE for your sidebar!

5. Link up your profile from any Instagram web interfaces like these listed here: 

Followgram | Ink361 | Webstagram | Gramfeed | Extragram 

Just log in with your Instagram account, grab your profile URL and enter it in the linky below.

Want to co-host an Instagram Blog Hop? 

Email Kimberly and she’ll get you on the calendar!

Now, on to the HOP! Remember, please link up your INSTAGRAM account, not your blog.

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1st Blog Anniversary + 31st Birthday Celebration #Giveaway

Make sure you read the rules carefully!!

Giveaway Ends 9/29 at 12:01AM!  

Winners will be notified via Email within 72 hours of end of giveaway and have 48 hours to claim prize before new winner will be chosen!  

Entrants that qualify (submit all 57 entries correctly) for the Free Ad Space on BaxtronLife will receive an Email with instructions for submitting ad within 30 days of giveaway end (due to the high amount of entries expected - verification of each entry for qualification could take a while!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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