The Cutest Greeting Cards

In my opinion, the only thing that can make a present even better is a sweet card to go with it. It doesn't always have to be sweet though. A sentimental card that brings tears to my eyes always wins. I'm a sucker for that kinda thing, what can I say? But you know what could even top that? A personalized sentimental card. Yep. Personalized. It's totally possible and there are so many adorable options to choose from at Cardstore.com.



I picked out this card for my mom for Mother's Day because it's not just one that you open up and toss in the recycling. It's one that you could hang on your refrigerator and show off to all your visitors. I'm not the only one who totally creeps on other people's fridges, am I? It's always been fun for me to see what other family's find important enough for that coveted spot on the fridge. Well, I don't want to speak for my mom or anything, but this card totally deserves prime real-estate on the fridge.

I love the trendy look and feel and I love that it looks hand-drawn and almost homemade. But more than anything? I love that I could put my own personalized note inside without having to scribble it out in my sometimes-terrible handwriting. Cardstore.com lets you type in your own personal message and even choose the font, color and size of the text. It's a great way to add your own personal touch!

Not only can you add your own personal message to your cards, but they also give you the option to add your own personal pictures to the cards as well. And the styles are seriously to die for. Here are some of my favorite happy birthday cards: one, two and three. But if you're in the market for a good Father's Day card (it's only a couple weeks away now) then here are my top picks: one, two and three. Cutest cards ever, right?

I hope you love them as much as I do!


Disclosure: I was provided a card of my choice in exchange for an honest & truthful review. All opinions are 100% my own.


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Sometimes...

Sometimes... I don't take enough time to just sit back, sip a cup of tea and think about all the things in life that I'm thankful for.

Sometimes... I get too wrapped up in everything I want and all the goals I have for myself that I forget everything that led me up to this point and everything that brought me to where I am today.

Sometimes... I forget to reflect on where I am and instead focus on how much farther I have to go.

Sometimes... I get too wrapped up in the numbers game of blogging and forget that writing is something I've always fallen back on. Writing's always been that one thing that was there for me. My pencil and notebook were always there waiting for me after a long, hard day.

Sometimes... I forget that life is about the little things. It's about Alea's snuggles, her silly "magic words," and staying up late with Cory and eating brownies + ice cream and giggling about how stupid we were when we were young(er).

Sometimes... I dream about what it would be like to have all the money in the world and not have to worry about those upcoming bills.

Sometimes... I take a step back + realize that money really isn't everything.

Sometimes... I feel inadequate and like I could do so much more to be a better mom for Alea.

Sometimes... That mom-guilt creeps up so bad and I feel guilty for all the time I spend doing homework, studying, and away at class & clinicals. So guilty in fact that I recently bought Alea more princesses for her princess castle. Now that's just pathetic.

Sometimes... I sneak into Alea's room at night, sit on the edge of her bed and just cry because I can't believe how fast the time is going by.

Sometimes... I have no idea how I got so lucky to be given such a beautiful little girl. I'm so not worthy, but she makes me feel like the luckiest person in the world.

Sometimes... I get fed up with all the hate in the world. All the violence + death + innocent lives lost. I get sick of the media glorifying the person behind the horrific acts and forgetting about the innocent lives lost.

Sometimes... I get scared that I brought such a sweet, innocent, little child into such a dark + scary world.


What do you think about sometimes?


Linking up with Rags to Stitches & Casey Leigh.


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BRING IT!

Skirt: Target | Tank: The Shine Project | Flip-Flops: Old Navy
I have my VERY last final this morning. My last final before summertime & freedom for THREE WHOLE MONTHS. I'm totally freaking out though, to be perfectly honest. I calculated it all out and I can almost get half of the questions wrong and still pass the class. So no worries right? WRONG! This type A chick doesn't accept "just passing." I want at least a B. At least. And we're being tested on an entire semester's worth of material. And in nursing school world... that's a BOAT LOAD. I've barely made it through all of the information we're being tested on... barely. And my confidence? It's at an all time low. There's nothing like going into a final exam feelin' like crap, huh?

BUT! Since I'm all about finding the positives in life, I'm putting a smile on today. I'm wearing my "Bring Your Own Shine" shirt because you know I'm going to bring it today. I'm going to take that test with all I have in me. I'm going to smile even if I don't get the grade I want and I'm going to be so happy when this day is over. I'm going to think about all the snuggles, park dates, ice cream sundae trips & crafts Alea and I have in our very near future and that is what's going to get me through this test today.

And if you're thinking about it, will you send me good vibes, prayers, and shiny gold good luck dust around 9am CST? I would very much appreciate that!

Linking up with Passion for Fashion!!

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Juice Boxes + Park Buddies

I guess this is quite the opposite of a "trendy little" post once again. But this just goes to show that you can really create a "trendy little" post out of anything. I just like to see pictures of your children in their element and having fun. Alea's element? THE PARK. Her eyes light up when we round the corner and start down the path to the slides and swings. She holds on cautiously to my hand, but once I tell her it's okay to run, boy does she run!



















This was her first park date of the season with her best friend, Evan, and will be the first of many, many park dates to come with him throughout our summer. I just love the freedom and independence she experiences when she's at the park now. The first time we went, she even banished me to the park bench. I'm not sure if it was because I was annoyingly taking pictures of every move she made, or if it was because I was following her around like she was going to fall on her face (trust me... it happens)! But either way, she told me to go sit on the park bench, so that's what I did. Yes, I'm now "that mom."

It was so fun to see the difference in her and Evan's motor skills this year and how well they got around on their own. Alea's no longer afraid of tunnel slides and Evan was marching across the bridge like no body's business. They've grown up considerably from last year. It's hard to believe what a difference a year can make!


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• Link-up any post with pictures of your littles or a fashion inspiration board for your little.
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Quit the Gossip

There's so much negative in this world. So much sadness, so much judgment, and so much greed. There's so much in this world that can drag you down and through the mud and take all the light out of your eyes. I hate that feeling more than anything. That feeling of being judged or looked down on, yet throughout my life I seem to have welcomed and encouraged negativity in my life. Almost purposely surrounded myself with it and choosing to accept it.

I'm not doing that anymore. I'm taking a stand against the negativity and negative people in my life and taking the high road. Gossiping isn't right and it doesn't make me feel good about myself. Sure, we're all a little judgmental and maybe talk about the other women in our lives, but seriously? Why not build each other up instead of bringing each other down? I just wonder sometimes what's said behind closed doors when I'm not around those that I'm gossiping with. What are they saying about me?




It's not even about trying to fit in or being "cool." It's about self respect and the respect of other women around me. I'm choosing respect. I'm choosing to let go of pessimism and bullying. Because that's exactly what it is. Bullying is an epidemic not only with the children in our schools, but also with the catty mothers as well. It may not get physical and there may not be violence involved, but words can hurt so much worse.

And it's not even about just gossiping about other women, it's about gossiping about their family's and their children as well. Who cares if they don't feed their children organic or they went to McDonalds for happy meals. They're doing their best just like we all are. Kids (unfortunately) don't come with manuals. We're all left to our own devices and we all have the right to parent how we choose to parent. Do I always agree with other parenting techniques? No. Do I voice this opinion? Sometimes. But that's not right. It's not right to bash other people's parenting. There's no point.

Let's start focusing on ourselves and our own children and what we can do to better our lives and the lives of the children we are raising.

Let's take a stand as women to come together rather than tearing each other apart starting with the blogging community and moving beyond.


What do you say? Are you with me?


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