Friday Finds

It may be late but I had to get a Friday Finds in...it's been a little while!

Target is really stepping up their game this fall...I'm loving all of their decor, especially these prints!  They would compliment our new headboard so well!

Kind of random, but I've heard that a silk pillowcase is key for healthy hair and skin...and I'm super intrigued by this one!

Pretty obsessed with these leggings...new workout gear always keeps me motivated to get to the gym!

We tried this sweet potato + black bean chili last weekend and LOVED it!  Perfect for the chilly, fall weather.

When I get my hands on the new iPhone 7, I am totally getting this case!

I love reading books before they come out in the movie theater...I'm in the middle of this one right now and it's very moving.  I missed it in the theater...but I did just finish The Girl on a Train and I can't wait to see it!

And just because it's Friday!

Have a great weekend!

xo natasha

Friday Finds

Happy Friday!  I hope you've had a great week...and are looking forward to a better weekend!  :)

Below are some recent finds...

How gorgeous is this lace dress?  I would love it for an upcoming wedding or the holidays!  Additional size can be found here and here!

I love these pumps with the scalloped detail...they come in three colors too!  Perfect for the office or a fun dinner out!

I'm currently serving jury duty {on a 4 week case, no less} and have had a lot of waiting time.  The upside, is that it's forced me to get back into reading and I am LOVING The Girl on the Train!  It's a pretty quick read, and parts of it remind me of Gone Girl.  PLUS, the movie comes out this fall!  Yes!  I'll be in need of a new book soon, so let me know if you have any recs in the comment section.

I love this top for the fall...and it's only $19!

We have a wedding in Carmel next month and we've been researching places to stay when I stumbled upon Hotel Carmel...isn't it SO cute!  It looks like a bloggers paradise!  If you've been to Carmel and have tips on places to eat and things to do, let me know!

xo natasha

Books Books Books!

I love books...and I've made it my personal mission to collect as many books for our boys as possible.  Books never go out of style and last for years, which make them a great investment--and a great gift too!

Which is why when Ashley reached out about sending us some books...I jumped at the chance!  Ashley works on behalf of Usborne Books {check out her site here}...here's a little more about the company:

We are the 2014 Children's Publisher of the Year — widely respected in the industry and loved by kids! Our books are also backed by a lifetime half-price replacement guarantee. Schools and libraries buy our books as well. The books are very unique and keep kids interested. We offer home parties, Facebook parties and the hosts get free books! Consultants can also sell to schools and libraries!

Ethan's two favorites are the construction site book {which uses a flashlight to see hidden images} and the wipe-clean vacation book...because, duh, he gets to draw in it!  They've both provided hours of fun!

And since we're on the topic of books, some other current favorites include:

Little Blue Truck

The Very Hungry Caterpillar 

Good Night Good Night Construction Site

Penguin and Pinecone

Snow

The Mitten

I Love You, Stinky Face

And plenty others!  Do your kiddos have any favorites right now?  Please share!

Thanks again to Ashley for helping us broaden our collection!

xo natasha

Ethan's Face Book

Ethan has gotten really good at recognizing faces and calling out whoever he sees.  As a little treat, I put together a book for him with all of his family and their faces.  It's hands down, Ethan's favorite book and we are required to "read" it to him every night.  Some nights he'll point to one of us and I'll say our names, other nights, I'll point and he'll say the names.  Either way, it's provided hours of entertainment.  Here's a little peek inside:

I used Shutterfly to create the book...they always seem to have some sort of sale going on, so I would suggest waiting for one.  We also used them for my pregnancy book.

Of course, we have plenty of pictures of Mama and Dada...those are two of his favorite words!  ;)

We have family that is nearby...

And family that is far away...mainly my family.

We also included the pets!  Ethan loves pointing and barking or meowing!  Too cute.

Super easy concept, but the it's easily one of Ethan's favorite things right now.  Totally recommend taking the time to make one for your own family.  It will be great to look back on years down the road too!

Now, if only I could take the time to make his baby book!!

xo natasha

For the Moms: A Gift Guide

With Mother's Day a week a half away, I thought I would put together a fun gift guide.  I know it can be hard to figure out what to get our moms {or...send this to your husband for a "hint hint"!} so hopefully this sparks some ideas!  :)

For the Wine-O:

Wine Wipes // Travel Wine Cup // Tote Bag // Wine Charms

For the Fashionista:

Snood  // Book // Perfume // Necklace

For the Accessory Maven:

Stationary // Pouch // Pillow // Phone Case

The best part is, most of these items are under $50 and they're all under $100.

What are you planning to get your mom this Mother's Day?

xo natasha

Fly Away Book Review + $100 Giveaway!

A couple years ago, I read a touching novel, Firefly Lane, by Kristin Hannah.  To say it was touching doesn't do the book justice.  Hannah's style of writing is so mesmerizing and yet so easy to follow along... I couldn't put the book down.  It was fun and happy, yet sad and sentimental.  

Firefly Lane is a story of a friendship between two girls.  It starts in the 60's and follows their relationship over the next 30+ years.  They go through school, careers, love, loss and so much more by the time the novel comes to an end.  I distinctly remember being in tears as I read the last page and I instantly wanted to pass the book along to all my best girlfriends...and give them a hug in the process.

It's just one of those books that makes you happy to know you have that "best friend forever" in your life.

So when I learned that there was a follow-up, Fly Away, now available in paperback, I was excited to pick it up.  Since I had read Firefly Lane, the new book Fly Away instantly resonated with me again, but in different ways this time.  Of course, as a new mom, I read into this story much differently now.  The theme of loss is pretty predominant (I was bawling), but the thing that drew me most to it, is how we, as the friend, spouse and parent, deal with loss.  How we heal and move forward once again... always remembering, of course, but we move from survival mode, back to thriving move.  Hannah's writing truly captures the essence of what love, family, motherhood, loss, and especially friendship, really mean.

It's great to get lost in another great book again and because I consider you all girlfriends of mine, I would be remiss not to pass along this book recommendation.

And happily, one lucky reader has a chance to win the Fly Away book AND win a $100 gift card, simply by commenting about what you love most about your best friend in the comment section below.  It can be fun, silly, or serious... I want to hear it all.  You can even visit the website to read an excerpt and watch two videos that bring you into the world of Fly Away. And I hope you do get the chance to read both books soon... I know you will all love them.

xo natasha

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