Sunday 23 April 2023

Life Lately: 2023 First Quarter Update



I thought it might be time to give a life update.  So far 2023 is treating us all really well.  Let's dive right in.

Sweet 16!  At the end of January, our oldest daughter turned 16 and we were lucky enough to be able to gift her a new to her car that our good friends were selling.  In March she was eligible to take her drivers test and she passed on her first try.  She's loving the freedom that driving gives her and I can honestly say it's been a very positive experience for us as well. 




Dance, dance & dance!  Anya has been taking five dances this year;  lyrical, contemporary, jazz, ballet and hip hop.  We had two super jam packed weeks of dance competition and her dance groups did really well at both sets of competition and although they had a few lows, and some really high highs, overall the experience, friendship, perseverance has been such a positive experience for her.  She loves dance, her friends and the studio and plans to continue again next year, by maybe even adding a solo. 






Disney!  There will be so much about our family Disney trip on here in the next few months so all I will really say is that it was an EPIC trip for our family and I can't imagine any other trip we could have done as  a family where we unanimously agreed on just about everything that we wanted to do.  That's a win in my parenting book!



Photography.  Photography generally slows down significantly in the first months of the year because a) its so cold and  b) most people are tapped out after spending so much throughout the holidays.  However I did shoot a few Easter mini sessions, a winter outdoor session, and the most gorgeous outdoor maternity shoot.  Please give me a follow at A & H Snapshots on Facebook or ahsnapshots on IG.






Spring fashion!  I was so lucky to be chosen as an ambassador for the  Outfit Formulas challenge.  Years ago I stumbled upon this challenge, then called Get Your Pretty On, and it got me out of my deep mom/work/life rut and reintroduced me to dressing for fun, to feel my best, to be creative, save money, and that's actually how I found blogging.  So many years later I was thrilled to be chosen to be an ambassador and join the challenge.  The summer challenge is coming up and it's honestly the best money you will invest in yourself and it's not much.  Most items are already in your closet and you can choose to update only the pieces you want to, plus the community is where it's at.  Here are a few outfits that I wore over the few weeks I participated, but I did miss a chunk because I was away on our trip.





Reading.  

I'll do a book review update soon but I just finished two great beach reads this weekend.  I listened to The Summer Place  by Jennifer Weiner and I loved the narrator of this audiobook!  So much that I am going to look into other books she does.  I'll give this book ⭐⭐⭐⭐.   The story plot is, their 20 something year old daughter is about to get married, and her whole family is rediscovering their own pasts, their regrets, their missed love opportunities, the skeletons in their closets, and questioning the lives they choose to build.  It was an easy listen with lots of great characters whose lives intertwine and lead them to their own conclusions about what matters in  love, life and family.



The other book was extremely similar, I didn't plan it that way, as it also revolved around a wedding, a accidental death (or is it?)  and complicated family drama.  The Perfect Couple by Elin Hiderbrand was a super easy read and perfect for a vacation.  I crushed the first 100 pages on the plane alone.  I'll give this one ⭐⭐⭐1/2 only because I usually love her books and this one was just okay.  I found the ending a little underwhelming but I still enjoyed it and was always happy to pick it up.



Cooking.  I continue to meal prep for the week on Sundays and that makes a world of difference in our life.  Recently I tried a new recipe, Firecracker Salmo Bowls, that I found on Pinterest and it was a HUGE hit with everyone in our family.  




That's it!  There is a quick update of things in our life.  As we had into spring and summer, Halie will begin to be busy getting ready for horse shows, Anya will trade her dancing shoes for a ball glove, Logan has a huge deck project he is working on at the lake, and I'll be wrapping up another school year and jumping into some training for a few exciting new ventures (I'll keep you posted).  


                            What are some highlights in your life in the first quarter of the year?

Wednesday 19 April 2023

Agless Style: The White Tee (or tank)



I am finally back to blogging after a much needed break and family vacay to Disney World.  Stayed tuned for family updates, Disney recaps and of course fashion posts over the next few months of spring.  

Today, I am here with the ladies of Ageless Style for our monthly fashion prompt and link-up; here every third Thursday of the month.  This month the classy Rosemary from Distinctly Southern Style chose white tops.  This is such a great prompt because everyone needs a white tee, tank or blouse in their closet, or multiples.  In fact the white tank was one of the top staples for fall fashion this past year and I love this knitted tank that I purchased while in Italy last summer.  Usually I put away my spring/summer clothes in a bin for the fall/winter months, but a white top is a staple that doesn't ever need to leave your closet.  Today I am showing you three different ways to style this top for spring/summer, from office, to dinner to beach.  


#1 Office/Work Wear

Bold pink suit and the white tank is just the ticket to bring some neutral vibes to this statement outfit.  Pair it with neutrals pumps and simple jewelry. 








#2 Spring/Summer Evening on the Patio for Drinks & Dinner

Throw on a pretty midi skirt, or a maxi skirt, and tuck in this knitted top for a dressy but cool vibe.  Dress it down by throwing on a denim jacket or dress it up with a trench coat.  







#3 The Beach is Calling

Oh, summer.  My favorite season of the year.  I would actually wear this outfit to both work in late June when the days get super hot, or to the beach, with a straw hat and bag for those beachy vibes.  








Which is your favorite look?  

Now make sure to check out how the rest of the ladies are styling their white tops by blog hopping and don't forget to link-up your own posts below.  See you all on Monday!






Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After

Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |

Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
Blog /Instagram

Bo ~ Bo's Bodacious Blog
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |

Joanna ~ My Slice of Life

Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
Rosemary ~ Distinctly Southern Style
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Blog | Instagram | Facebook | 





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