Happy Halloween - Pinterest Style

Source: zulily.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: s220.photobucket.com via gail on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Christine on Pinterest

Source: thegiftcloset.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: sassysanctuary.blogspot.com via Antoinette on Pinterest

Source: adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com via Susan on Pinterest

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Becky on Pinterest

Welcome to the world, Archer!

My best friend, Sarah, gave birth to her precious little boy Sunday morning. Archer Edmisten Smart was born at 12:32am on Sunday, October 23. He weighed in at 8 pounds and 21 inches!

Archer has the best big sisters in the world. I'm told Harper and Palmer are head over heels in love with him!

The Smart family of 5 is now complete! We love you all and can't wait to meet Archer!

*all pictures "borrowed" from Sarah's facebook page*

Pinspired - Pumpkin Muffins

Today I am linking up with Kodi at a brighter yellow for her weekly "pinspired" post. This is basically where you actually make something that you "pinned" on pinterest. 
I decided since it was fall and I love all things pumpkin in the fall that I would make a 2 ingredient recipe I had pinned - Pumpkin Muffins!

Source: None via Lynsey on Pinterest

I actually decided to use three ingredients in mine  - I added chocolate chips!!  

         

Mix it all together. Just cake mix, pumpkin and chocolate chips. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

After baking and letting them cool - Voila!!!

I will say that the picture doesn't do them justice. This muffins were delicious! Very moist and super easy to 

make.

Have you made something recently that you "pinned"? If so, leave a message and let me know. And don't 

forget to link up!

Wordless Wednesday: His vs Her Books

His Books

Her Books

What are you currently reading?

Plum District Voucher Winners!

Using random.org, the two winners of the $10 Plum District vouchers are:

 Mary Lindsey said...

And, I'm most looking forward to this holiday season the arrival of our 5th baby - a girl! She's due on December 18th, but could definitely arrive on Christmas if she's nice and cozy in there :-) Thanks for the giveaway! Hope I win :-D

and

 Sara said...

My husband and I are in the final stages of buying our first house, so I'm looking forward to decorating it for Christmas!

Congrats Mary Lindsey and Sara!

Please email me at lynsey.petree@gmail.com to claim your vouchers!!

My Erin Condren Address Book & a Giveaway

I blogged about my love for my Erin Condren life planner back in August and now I'm back to tell you about their wonderful address book!

I have needed an address book for a long time as the last one I purchased was over 4 years ago and as you know, people move and addresses change constantly!

I can not sing praises high enough for this address book. It is the small size as the life planner but certainly not as bulky.

Wonderful quotes are found throughout the address book and all the bright colors makes for one happy book!

There is plenty of room to write your addresses and remember to use either a pencil or erasable pen so that making changes and updating addresses will be easy and no need to cross things out. I love that there is a space for birthdays,both home and mobile phone numbers as well as email addresses.

And just like the planner, there is a "Notes" section, Special Dates section and important numbers page. All three of these just had to how wonderful and helpful this address book really is.

And last but not least, there is a pouch in the back to hold all your loose goodies. Erin Condren even threw in free and fun labels with the purchase! Talk about a great company!

Like I said, I can not say enough good things about this address book. I am so glad I purchased this and it has already come in very helpful! With the holidays upon us, wouldn't the address book make a great Christmas gift?

If you are in the market for any Erin Condren products, today is your lucky day! Plum District is currently offering a $25 for $50 Worth of Personalized Erin Condren Holiday Photo Cards, Calendars, Customized Labels, and More deal.  Click here to sign up today.

Wait... There's MORE!!! I am giving away TWO Plum District $10 vouchers today! This giveaway is for today only and I will announce the two winners tomorrow morning to ensure you still have time to take advantage of this great deal. Or save the voucher and use it towards something else you wish on Plum District. Voucher is good until January 31, 2012!

Two ways to enter:
1- Become a follower of my blog and leave a comment letting me know you did so.
2- And just because I love the holidays: Tell me what you are most looking forward to this holiday season.

The winners will receive their voucher code via email so make sure you leave your email address if you don't have your blog linked to it.

*All opinions are 100% mine and I received the Plum District vouchers from houseparty as part of their Shutterfly Give Joy houseParty.

October Race - Ardmore 5K

For frequently followers of the blog, you know that things have been quiet busy in our household lately.  Don’t think that would deter us from fulfilling the monthly 5K challenge though.  Lynsey has kept up her training by chasing after Mason, meanwhile Brian has not kept up his training at all, and Mason has been running so much lately that he was ready to set a new personal best.

Regardless of our times or what place we finished, we took advantage of a pleasantly cool fall morning while running around our old neighborhood, got a break from reality, and helped to raise over $10,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank.

Running is hard work!

10 down, 2 to go!

2 On Tuesday: Restaurants

Today I am linking up with My Chihuahua Bites Blog for her 2 on Tuesday series.

Today's topic is: What are your two favorite restaurants?

1. Village Tavern. Hands down the best crab dip in town. Village Tavern also holds a special place in my heart as it was where Brian and I had our first date! I have never had something I didn't like there. Everything is so good. You can't go wrong with a single item on their menu. 

2. Pancho Villa's - BEST MEXICAN EVER! All their food is so fresh. I love Mexican food and could probably eat it at least 4x a week. Although I usually get the same thing, Brian always tries something different and has really enjoyed everything he has tasted. 


I am certainly no foodie but these two restaurants are go to choices in my book.


Link up and then leave me a comment letting me know what your two favorite restaurants are. Perhaps we have them in my city and I'd love to give them a try! 

Featured Blog and a Giveaway

Two of my best friends, Jennifer and Jessica, recently started writing a running blog - I Run, Therefore, I Am .

Jennifer and Jessica have always been runners. To me, they are super fast and can kick butt in any distance race. It's amazing. It's inspiring and sometimes I'm downright envious. 


In Jessica's words:
I run because it calms my mind.
I run because it makes me feel good.
I run because it means I can eat more chocolate.
I run because it is another way to challenge myself.
I run because it is a way to enjoy the beautiful SoCal weather.
I run because I can...and I do it all for me! 


And in Jennifer's words: "So this is why I run...to give myself an identity. I am a wife, a mother, but I am also me, so I run."


Seriously, these girls are nothing short of inspirational. If you are looking for inspiration, training tips, race reviews, gadget reviews.. look no further. They have it all here! Oh and another fun part... giveaways!!!


They are currently hosting a giveaway where TWO readers will win a RazzyRoo headband. Head over to I Run, Therefore, I Am  to enter to win one of the best headbands ever! Any runner certainly needs a headband!


Are you a runner? Or are you like me and prefer walking? I'll even fast walk. Anything but run. I wish I loved running but oh man, I always dread it! Perhaps I Run, Therefore, I Am will inspire me!


And leave me a message and let me know what your favorite running blogs are! I always love new blog to read. 

Wordless Wednesday: Are You Ready For Some Football?!?!

Happy 1/2 Year Max!

It's hard to believe it has already been 6 months since Maxwell Lewis Belward entered the world. I remember waiting in anticipation to find out if it was a boy or girl as my bestest, Colleen, decided to be surprised on her first baby! I remember getting the text from Keith with the cutest picture ever of this sweet little boy!!! I was elated that Max was a boy as it meant Mason would finally have a buddy to play with!

It has been a true joy to watch Max grow and watch Colleen and Keith transition so smoothly into the role of mom and dad. They are amazing parents and Max is a wonderful boy. I can not wait until our boys are a little older and can really play together. We are going to be in trouble when they hit teenage years!

We love you so much Max and can not wait to see you grow into the best little boy ever! Mason can not wait to play and do "boy things" with you.

Happy 1/2 year Mr. Max!

September Race - Reich Farm 5K

Just like August, I squeezed in the September 5k race on the last day of the month! To my credit, we received my mom's shocking breast cancer news the week prior and the rest of the month had also been busy. Apparently Winston doesn't like to hold September races either, so that made it difficult as well.

I did not take a single picture during this race. I had one goal in mind.. get it done and get it over with. I was mentally exhausted and just wanted to say this month was in the books.

I ran the same course as the August race around our neighborhood - Reich Farm.

I'm just glad I did it and got it over with and completed a 5k run in September. Good news: We ran our October race over the weekend and it was a true race. AND... I've already signed up for a November Race!

9 down, 3 to go!!

I'm Gonna Love You Through It

Warning: Get your tissues ready! What a beautiful song! I'm gonna love you through this, Momma! I love you so much.

Shop for a Cure - Breast Cancer Awareness

* First, thank you all for your thoughts and prayers for my mom and our family during my moms surgery. She did fine through the surgery and is recovering nicely. We will know more about the next steps once she goes back for her followup appointment next week.*

Who doesn't love to shop? What's even better than shopping? Shopping for a CURE!! During the month of October, companies will donate a certain percentage of the sales from these products. Shopping for a cure is such an easy and fun way to support breast cancer awareness and give precious dollars to aid cancer research.

Just a few things that I am currently loving..

Cape Madras

Old Navy

Old Navy

My Shirt Helps

If I had a little girl, I would be buying a few items from Ragsland

Ragsland

This would be perfect to give as a gift. I love this stationery set. It can be personalized and also Erin Condren has other cancer awareness items on their website!

Erin Condren

I will be purchasing this bracelet. I love the simplicity of it. 

Etsy Site: CourageforKristi

A perfect Christmas gift!

Coton Colors

So that's just a few things I found while browsing the internet. I hope during the month of October would will help aid in breast cancer research by shopping for a cure!!!