Blue-Eyed Bride

Hayes’s First Fiesta: The Fiesta Details

We had Hayes's First Fiesta at the historic home where Todd's firm is located. They have some gorgeous grounds around the property and we held the party on the grounds. It was so … [Continue Reading]

Hayes’s Noggin

Thank you all so much for your comments, texts, tweets, emails, and phone calls yesterday. I could really feel them and so much of my worry was taken away. Todd and I have a fairly … [Continue Reading]

You Are My Sunshine baby shower!

This weekend, with 5 of my friends, I co-hosted a baby shower for a very dear friend. We decided on a You Are My Sunshine theme for the shower. We focused on yellow and orange … [Continue Reading]

battles and wars

Oh, life as a mom of a two-year-old. Is there anything more humbling? This post is not going to be pretty. Lately, I've just been feeling like I'm failing. I know that a lot of … [Continue Reading]

I’m a boy mom

Boy mom. I hear this title used a lot. It's not a title I ever thought I'd have. I always imagined myself having two girls and then having a baby boy. You know, when I'd play … [Continue Reading]

4 years of blogging

If you're new to Blue-Eyed Bride, this is a pretty decent recap post to get you all filled in since the beginning. Every September, this date rolls around. I don't celebrate it … [Continue Reading]

now that I’m a mommy…

I say things like, "Because I said so" and "go to your room." I find myself counting to three and taking deep breaths to avoid confrontation with family members. I know how to … [Continue Reading]

my home organization notebook

A few weeks ago, I mentioned my desire to create a Home Organization Notebook based on the one I saw on Honey We're Home. I was so inspired to have everything all in one place … [Continue Reading]

Green Eggs and Ham birthday party: the details

These posts are going to have to be broken up into two or three parts because there are so many things to see! This post is just going to be the details: decorations, food, … [Continue Reading]

the night before…

Our lives are going to change tomorrow. There's no way around it. We're checking into the hospital at 5:30 tomorrow morning and the induction begins at 6:30. I have no idea how … [Continue Reading]

my summer must-haves!

05/22/2013 8 Comments

1. Essie “Bottle Service”

On my fingernails or toenails… I just love how bright this color is!

2. Essie “First Timer”

I love this color on my toes.

3. Emi Jay hair ties

I love these! And a sweet friend actually made some for me. I love that they are cute and don’t leave creases in my hair.

4. Tom Ford “Alicia” sunglasses

These are on my wish list! I tried them on a month or so ago and I’m obsessed. Anyone want to buy them for me?

5. Scout by Bungalow 4 Boys Bag

This bag is the essential pool and beach bag. You can easily wipe it out and it seriously holds everything. It will hold four towels… and whatever else we need to bring to the pool.

6. White eyelet tunic

This is the one I have from Anthropologie two summers ago, and I wear it all the time. It’s so lightweight. I’m on the hunt for a new one that I love as much as this one.

7. J.Crew 5 inch Chino Shorts

These shorts never change or go out of style. The 5 inch is plenty short for me and over the years I’ve gotten them in quite a few colors. They’re comfortable and wash well and hold up well over time.

8. Callisto “Tiara” Wedge Sandal

Sheaffer first introduced these to me a few weeks ago and they’ve been on my wish list ever since. I finally ordered my pair in “putty” and they were backordered. And then they weren’t. And then they were again. And then they finally shipped. I still don’t have them in my hands (or on my feet), but I should have them in the next couple of days. I just love them! (And you must read Sheaffer’s blog because she’s just the best shopping enabler of all time! And she’s hilarious.)

9. PhytoMist Instant Hydrating Conditioner

This is a spray-on conditioner that I use when I get out of the shower. But I also love it as a detangler for pool and beach days. My hair is course and wavy and can be a hot mess when I get out of the water and it starts to air dry. This stuff is awesome to throw in my pool bag and spray on my hair when I get out.

10. Stella and Dot Serenity Stone Earrings in Turquoise

I have these earrings in green and I absolutely love them. The size is perfect and the color is bold. Now I want the turquoise pair because it’s just a great summer color!

11. Lilly Pulitzer Beach Pant

I bought these pants before we went to the Greenbrier. (You remember the no-denim dress code?) They are so comfortable, so flattering, and so lightweight. They’re perfect for summer. I have them in navy, but I’d love one of the prints! (I know! Who I am? Wanting a Lilly print? I can’t help myself!)

1. AG Tomboy Crop Jeans

I love that the leg is a little wider so they don’t feel too tight in the heat. Ick. These jeans are super comfortable and a great weight for summer without being see-through!

2. Gap Long and Lean White Jeans

These are my all time favorite white jeans. I have worn them for years! They’re flattering and comfortable and the rise is higher, so it’s great for playing with kids. I have a pair that I have hemmed to wear with flats and a pair that I keep longer to wear with heels. These are my favorite!

What are your summer must haves?

Filed Under: Uncategorized 8 Comments

Build ‘Em Up: Confidence in Motherhood

05/21/2013 12 Comments

This post isn’t going to be about the mommy wars. It’s about confidence. And when we have confidence, we’re not part of the mommy wars. We can’t feel attacked. As my mom always said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.”

I think with access to social media, all moms are exposed to more ideas and parenting ideas than ever before. And I think it’s natural to feel threatened when we see an approach that’s different than the one we took.

I know, for me personally, as a new mom, I felt extremely threatened when I felt like someone was doing it differently than I was. And then I’d get defensive when I’d see someone criticize the way I was doing it.

Most of this is due to social media. I had to stop reading a lot of blogs. If there was a blog that triggered negative feelings in me, I stopped reading it. Because the mom who was writing the post? She loves her kids.

And those negative feelings that were triggered? Are my own problem.

The mom I see doing any part of motherhood differently than I do? She loves her kids just like I love mine. And there’s really no right or wrong way. As long as our kids are safe and healthy and loved? That’s all that matters.

My friend, Ellen, told me once that when we have strong emotional reactions to something, it’s usually a sign that something inside of us is unsettled.

When I feel threatened by what another mother is doing, that’s because of something that I feel insecure about in myself. It’s my own heart issue.

I know that my boys are happy and healthy. And most importantly, I know that my boys are loved. I’m doing my very best to show them the love of Jesus every single day, and lead them to the Lord. I pray that each decision I make every day is made in love. I pray for guidance and pray for the Lord to speak through me.

I’m not a perfect mother. My kids aren’t perfect kids. I’ve had to learn my way through their young little lives. All of my choices haven’t been the absolute best ones. But they were the best ones in that moment. And I had to learn through it.

But I have always loved my boys, and have always tried to do what is best for them and best for our family.

It’s okay that my friends don’t mother exactly as I do. Their decisions for their families aren’t an attack on me. They have nothing to do with me.

Feeling confident in my motherhood decisions and tuning out the negative thoughts and feelings goes a long way.

Most importantly, I have to remember that His grace is enough. It is through His grace that I can move from one day to the next and feel confident in my decisions.

But mostly, I feel confident in His love for me.

*Link up with Jennifer, Kelly, Courtney, and me and share your story!

Filed Under: Uncategorized 12 Comments

brain dump and catch up

05/20/2013 15 Comments

I feel like I've got so much to say, but not enough for a big blog post! 1. The boys' Peter Pan extravaganza was this weekend and it was so much fun! If I can get my act together I'll blog about it this week. This may have been my very favorite part of the party! 2. My parents were … [Read More...]

Filed Under: brain dump 15 Comments

Yellow Friday Shopping Event from The Chirping Moms

05/17/2013 Leave a Comment

A couple of my favorite "mom bloggers", Courtney and Julia from The Chirping Moms, are hosting a really fun event this weekend called "Yellow Friday." You can read all about Yellow Friday here. The event starts today and runs through Sunday. Some of your favorite small businesses are giving … [Read More...]