Five on Friday {February 28, 2014}

How is it already the last day of February?

This month - shit, this year - have just flown by. At times I want it to slow down, but then others - like this week - I want it to speed by because in a few short days we will be in Mexico. Living like carefree, kidless folk for a few days.

If you need me next week, I will be here.

And I cannot wait. Because if I have to hear the words "polar vortex" any longer, I might just cry.

But for now, it's Friday. And on Fridays I like to talk about five things.

{one}
I ordered this top from Style Lately the other day and I'm loving it. I've paired it with leggings and a cardi, but can't wait to wear it with maxis once it gets nicer. I mean, it will eventually get nicer, right? It just has to.

Style Lately // love top

{two}
I also picked up a new habit. Or I guess you could say picked up an old habit again. A new drive-thru Starbucks opened up on my route to work. It's right outside the one thats inside Target, but of course, I couldn't drag my ass out of the car to get a coffee before, so now it's just oh-so-convenient and I've been stopping in the mornings for a venti cappuccino. Mmmm..coffee.

They also have these asiago pretzel things. Not that I've had one or anything. A warm pretzel covered in asiago cheese? Who would want to eat that for breakfast? Not this girl No, not at all.

{three}
I know some of you joined me in the February Squat Challenge. Today is the last day and we can finally give our legs a little rest! I will admit I was hard core for the first 10 days and then I missed a couple here and there, but I've stayed somewhat on course since then. Today ends it at 250 squats - finished mine this morning and it felt good!

Although I'm pretty sure my back end doesn't look like hers....not sure what gives.

{four}
Thank you all so much for the feedback on my post last Friday about our my new home inspiration and our house hunt. Things are moving along crazy fast and I can't believe I'm going to be a new home owner sometime in the near future.

This week we had house photos taken for our listing, checked out three new homes, had a painter come to give a bid on the house, listed our house and had our three showings.

Makes me think about how much I will miss our place. It may not be much, but it's been little home for the past seven years. And our first home together.

Ok enough reminiscing. Let's be honest, I'm just so excited to get out of here and into a new place. Can I get an AMEN?

{five}
Please don't forget to check out my giveaway! The lovely Joey from Joey Mac Designs was kind enough to offer one item from her shop to one lucky winner and I can't even begin to talk about all of the cute stuff she makes. Like makes herself, with a sewing machine. Crafty people just impress the heck out of me. But get after it, you only have until a couple more days to register - check it out here! Plus, Yellow Mango Life readers get 20% off any order! Just visit her page - and to order send her a PM and the rest is easy peasy.  Good luck!

Have the BEST weekend!

Natasha // Darci // Christina // April

Joey Mac Designs + A Giveaway!

As we find one holiday in the books, we move onto planning for the next one. Let's not confuse this with decorating for holidays. That's not something I do well. Or at all for that matter.

Since Valentine's Day came and went quicker than the piece of King Cake I had for lunch, we are now gearing up for St. Patty's Day around these parts.

And just when I thought I couldn't have found a cuter holiday shirt than this heart breaker one, enter the St. Patty's green tie from Joey Mac Designs.

I'm lucky enough to be hosting a giveaway with the talented and beautiful Joey from Joey Mac Designs. Not only do I love Joey's products, but she is also my sister in law and an amazing creator. Girlfriend has some talent.

And she not only makes great shirts for the kiddos, but she also makes clothing for women and some of the most amazing scarves.  Plus, she customizes items based on what you are looking for, just ask and she will do what she can to make your vision a reality.

Check out some of my faves...

{birthday shirts}

{sports teams}

nebraska husker onesies & tank for girls

women's nebraska tank

chicago bears tee

{scarves}

{clutches}

perfect gift for bridesmaids or just the girl who loves to go out

Don't just take my word for it - get on over to Joey's page and check out all of the amazing things she crafts. Girlfriend's got talent!

And one of YOU, will win one item from her shop. Just enter below...and of course check out her shop and let me know what item you would love to win if you are chosen. Besides everything. You can't pick everything. Although I would like to.

And because Joey is just the sweetest, she is giving all Yellow Mango Life readers 20% off their order of any of the rock star items in her shop. Just message her...it's that easy. Oh, and mention my blog. She likes when you mention my blog. :)

What are you waiting for...there is something for everyone. I'm not lying. Her stuff is awesome.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Celebrating Cruz's Carnival: Second Birthday Party!

So remember that break I took from blogging back in October and November?

Yeah, so do I.

And it turns out I never even posted Cruz's 2nd birthday party, which totally bummed me out and which is also why you are seeing it just now being that it's almost four months late. #mommyfail

Invitation // created by moi

Cruz turned two. I have a two year old and can hardly believe it. =)

We had a great time celebrating Cruz’s carnival/circus themed birthday party a couple days before his actual birthday. So many amazing people came over to our place to toast our little guy…he is so loved and we are fortunate to have them all in our lives.

After loads of food and drink, we had a clown/magician booked to show all the kiddos a good time. Everyone, regard less of age, loved her. If you are in the Omaha area, Rainbow Trout is the bomb dot com.

I will let the pictures speak for themselves, but I can’t tell you what a fun time we had celebrating with some of our most favorite people.

Happy birthday to our little Cruzer Bruzer. You have touched so many lives with your amazing personality and sweet little self. We love you to pieces, little man. xo

Linking up with Ashley for It's The Little Things.

Ridin' Dirty

For those of you who follow me on IG and Facebook, the fact that I was rockin' a minivan a few weeks ago isn't brand new information.

My four-wheel drive on my Jeep just up and stopped working. Like so much so that after we got a dusting of snow, I was skidding all over the road. Not good.

Since it was more than a one hour job at the service center, I had to get a rental. Enter minivan.

I was so embarrassed. Sorry to any mamas who have one - there is no shame in your game - it's just not me.

It was between the mini or a Dodge Ram truck, though. What's a girl to do?

I got into my mini and took off for home. I couldn't wait to show Nick.

Seriously I'm driving a minivan.

But then, as I was moving items from my Jeep to the mini, I found myself loving up on some of the features of that bad boy.

Like the fact that I could push a button on the key fob and the doors would open...and shut. I didn't even have to pull on the handle. They just opened. Like that. Wow. That's pretty handy.

And the cup holders? There were six - SIX - in the front console alone. Can you say best roadtripping vehicle eva? Holla.

As I was driving, I looked back and noticed that it had not only one, but two drop down screens. I knew Cruz would go bat shit cray cray when he saw that.

I turned on the radio and it had Sirius. I miss Sirius. We canceled my subscription a while back and this mini was making me miss it.

This thing isn't so bad, I started thinking. Maybe I could be a minivan driver. Maybe this is me. Why have I been such a hater this entire time?

And then I got on the interstate and tried to speed up. Key word: tried. It took like 10 seconds to get to 60mph.

And then I passed a beautiful Mercedes SUV and immediately thought of my new ride. Eh I'm driving a minivan.

At home, I got out and took a look at my mini...nah. I definitely couldn't do it.

The thought that maybe - just maybe - a minivan could be parked in my garage one day, quickly left my mind virtually as soon as it entered.

And I was left to dreaming about the day I would get my Jeep back.

And that my friend is the story about the time I drove a minivan.

Friday Fives {February 21, 2014}

 

So this week has been a bit of a blur. But in a great way.

We are now in serious mode about listing our house, even had a reator come over and start the process. Be still my house hunting heart.

Pictures will be taken Monday, painters will be here soon after that and our house will officially be listed!

But get this, just yesterday our realtor asked if we would be willing to show our house this Sunday because they had a buyer interested.

Wha???

It's becoming so real.

Which is awesome and overwhelming all in one...but more awesome than not, of course. I've been wanting a new house forever. {just ask Nick. I talk about it every day.}

But now I feel behind the game. I need to get pinning and planning for our new house - which we don't even own yet, or haven't picked out yet - but hey, that's just semantics, right?

I thought I would share the start of my inspiration thus far.

{one}
Stripes. I'm nothing short of obsessed with big, thick black and white stripes.

Bathroom

 

Playroom

Mud room

 

{two}Cruz's toddler room. I want white and color. Not sure what color, but here are some ideas. I mean he is claiming green is his fave these days, but with this one it changes daily so I can't plan around that.

For some reason I was drawn toward deer heads in my pinning. I don't hunt, but I kinda like it.

I mean, I am a farm girl.

Green // deer head

 

Deer head // wood detail

How do deer heads and this car bed go together? Well not very well. I mean imagine. How does it usually work out for deer and cars? Not good for the deer. That's how.

But I still like this bed.

Car bed

{three}
Dark and light contrasting paint. Dark gray, stark white. I'm in love.



Dark walls // white accents

Living space

Accent wall

{four}
Pop of color. I'm sure you know my love for the color yellow. It's just such a happy color. Immediately puts a smile on my face.

I envision a little yellow throughout my house.

Yellow

 

Bar stools

Yellow barn door

 

Yellow art

{five}
Home office - for me will probably be an office/spare room mix.  This is where I envision a lot of work and a little blogging being done. And basically is a "no boys" zone. I can't have a boy messing this space up.

B&W

 

Gallery wall & light fixture

 

Suffice it to say, I'm black, gray & white obsessed. And yellow. Obviously.

More to come on this house situation. It's definitely moving along faster than I thought it would.

Off to "stage" my house. Happy weekend!

Natasha // Darci // April // Christina