women connect `12

I love that Becky is doing this amazing link-up. 

 






Rules are simple- JUST WRITE- tell us about yourself, open up and meet other amazing ladies similar to yourself or just in general! 

What do you do? You write. You write and you open up to us. Tell us who you are. Share a story with us. Tell us why you blog. Something that has been challenging for you in life? Something that has been a major blessing. Anything applies. The goal is that you take the time to actually write and the result would be that other women would find you and your blog and connect.





I probably have sat here and stared at this blank screen for awhile trying to figure out just what to say or where to even start. 

Well let me start who am I-
I am Cari  sahm to a beautiful babygirl and wife to the most amazing man ever! I am a born and raised Pittsburgh girl I am still trying to figure out this whole mommy thing its always something new everyday but I wouldnt really trade it for anything. I pretty much stalk my daughter w. my camera {whether it be on my phone or my regular one}.I am obsessed w. Twitter and reality TV and I love country music, if I could I would drink Starbucks EVERYDAY! I really would love to live down south but I will most likely live here forever. I grad hs @ 17 and went to business school 2 mo after I grad and studied Fashion Merchandising w. a minor in Business Admin. I worked in retail for about 5 years and my favorite job was being on the visual merchandising team at Kaufmanns. {pay in retail wasnt cutting it and I wasnt looking to move to NY at such a young age} I then transitioned into an office job . where I worked for a title company for 4 years and got layed off for a year and landed a job at a medical equipment co where I worked for a little over a year and now here I am sahm. Ok that about sums me up...

Why do I blog? Well honestly-  I started this in 2010 to just keep in touch w. out of town family once we got our house then 3 {short} mo after we got married I found out I was pregnant so I continued by keeping up on things about that. I found some amazing ladies I am lucky enough to call my friends, so I continued and now I  love blogging. I know to many 140 isn't many followers but I really NEVER expected to even get to 100! I also never ever thought I would be one of those to sponsor another blog but I am lucky to sponsor some amazing ladies who I feel have helped me out. I also love that I have a place to just write {whether I actually publish it or not, its a place I can just let go} I also love that Breanna will be able to look back at this and see just how much she is loved!


What are some struggles? blessings? Let me start out w. Blessings- 
my husband seriously if it weren't for him, I probably would be in such a different place in my life. I love where things are and I wouldnt want to trade it for anything in the world!  
Breanna- she has changed me in so many ways, I cant even begin to describe it!   
my job becoming a mommy seriously is the best job ever...it is hard some days but i wouldn't change a thing 
my parents/siblings/aunt yes we all have our days when we fight but seriously w.out them my life would not be as great as it is. They are ALWAYS there for me when I need something or am in a bind  
my friends I have the best friends a gal could ask for. from the gals who I used to go out and club it up w {in our younger days} every Thursday-Saturday and now we are almost all mommies, my mommy group I have met through twitter/blogging, to all of the amazing ladies I met through this blog who I am lucky enough to call my friends and hope one day we can actually meet IRL 

Now onto struggles 
my biggest would have to be Confidence. I am working on this...I just wonder everyday if I am being a good wife/mom or friend! Am I doing this all right...I know we all have our flaws and I am learning to accept that but some days, I just feel like I could be a better wife/mom/friend, I know no-one if perfect and I know that I will never be perfect but sometimes I feel like I am doing it all wrong.

do we want more children- everyday is different for us...one day we do want another child {so Breanna has a sibling but other days we realize how expensive it is to raise a child} I know as a child I loved having older siblings {even tho they CONSTANTLY picked on me} or somedays I just love having just one and being able to spoil her
over thinking- oy, I dont even know where to start w. this one...this something, I just cant stop, I am a huge worrier, even at the smallest things, I am trying to just learn to live each day and god has a plan for all of us. 

I  worry for my daughter {she is my life} and I worry for when she is older that I cant protect her from this big world out there! I know I can do nothing but teach her right from wrong and teach her to be a good person and respect others and raise her w. the right values and morals and know that I am doing my best as her mother and know that no matter what I will ALWAYS be there for her.


 

Thanksgiving Recap-

Thanksgiving recap Show & Tell Monday w. Becky over @ From Mrs to Mama ; come link up or check out all the other lovely ladies!




 

Since we moved into our house in 2010 we have had Thanksgiving here! This year was no different! My sister and her family was in town this year, however my brother and his family didnt come over...they just stayed at their house this year. My in-laws didnt make it down either {As they came down last year so they will be down for Christmas}

We woke up bright and early {as usual} and we had some breakfast and relaxed til it was time to start cooking; My mom usually makes desserts and we try and do everything else here, all I have to say is I am so glad Brad is a good cook cause I am not cut out for turkey cooking {everyday cooking I am ok with} so while Brad was preparing the turkey, Breanna and I watched the parade and waited for everyone to come over! Once everyone got here the rest of the cooking began and more parade watching. We had lots of food....Turkey, stuffing, homemade cranberry sauce, corn, green bean casserole, rolls, sweet potatoes w. marshmallows, mashed potatoes, veggie tray, cookies, pies {2 pumpkin, apple, peach, and chocolate} and I am sure there is more stuff I am missing..

We watched some football, ate around 1:30 and once we were done, it was such a perfect day outside so we put up the outside tree and garland and the kids ran around for a bit and we just enjoyed the company!

It was a perfect day and Breanna loved playing w. her cousins that she doesnt get to see very often! hope you all had a fabulous holiday w. family!!

 

Saturday Laughs

Linking up w. Melissa over @ Mommyhood Chronicles for Saturday laughs...hope everyone had a great holiday! Dont forget to enter my giveaway!

Few weeks ago we went to Target  to pick up a few things and Breanna usually gets a small toy when we go (I am a sucker I know)- This time she picked Cookie Monster...we also have some $1 Sesame Street books from Target, she was playing before bedtime and pulled them out picked up the Ernie book along w her cookie toy and threw it down and started searching for the cookie book and once she found it started hugging on both of them

When the cats are getting into something, I usually will stomp my foot to get them to stop or go psssssssssst...Breanna has started doing this lately she is so serious when she does it.

Breanna will run into the room and intentionally fall over....I cant help but laugh, and she will slowly look up to see if you are watching then will get up and do it all over again 
When we were waiting to get our pictures done there were a lot of kids there and they have a little play table...as we sat down to wait, Breanna went over to the table {full of boys} and just stood there smiling at them and watching them build legos {so it begins}

I sleep w an eye mask on because Brad likes to watch TV and I have to have complete dark when I sleep...well usually he gets Breanna out of bed in the am and brings her into our room...on thursday morning was no different I heard them come in but was still laying w my mask on Breanna scooted over to my and pulled up my mask and was like `mom- mom, hi`






 

just some randomness...

hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday, the past few days have been super busy for us! 

My sister is in town so we have been trying to visit with them as much as possible since we probably wont see them again til July.

Wednesday we went out to my moms and then yesterday everyone came over here for lunch

Today we went out to my brothers to visit and just relaxed this evening

Milo {our cat} snuck out last night when people were leaving, he is nowhere to be found {we looked EVERYWHERE in the house} since last night! :-( I really hope he comes back soon!

I am NOT a black Friday shopper, I would rather do it from my couch, I guess working almost 10 years in retail will steer you clear of dealing w. crazy crowds. I did however get a few good deals from Old Navy & some candles from BBW {2 of my favorites}

Even though  Breanna is still too young to get it, we brought out our Elf on the Shelf lastnight, it took us awhile to decide on his name and we finally named him Ralphie {from Christmas Story}

I will try and post a full Turkey day recap on Monday but for now here are a few {phone} pictures from the past few days!

Dont forget to enter my giveaway..

Vintage Flower Farm & giveaway...

I first came across Vintage Flower Farm after winning a giveaway and now, I am slightly obsessed. Shala is the owner/designer and makes beautiful floral headbands and is so awesome to work with. Along with her Etsy shop, she also has a Facebook page where she posts a lot of special deals!

Not only does she make floral headbands, she also makes beautiful single flower clips for weddings or anyother special occasion. Each flower headband is unique and are all made with satin, tulle, silk lace and chiffon and can be embellished with an antique button, earring or broach. If you dont see something you exactly like in her shop, just send her a msg and she can work with you and make you a perfect custom piece. These are just a few pieces I have so far....

Now for the best part, Shala is offering one lucky reader a free headband of your choice (upto $15 value). This is a Rafflecopter giveaway.  So just follow all the instructions on the rafflecopter below only two entries are mandatory but I recommend you do all for a greater chance of winning.

a Rafflecopter giveaway





Winner will be announced on Wednesday Nov 28  (entries will be checked)

gobble gobble

Just wanted to stop in quick and wish everyone a happy thanksgiving! hope you all have a wonderful day w. family and loved ones! Make sure you stop by tomorrow for a giveaway{especially you mommas w. little girls}!!!

 

wordless wednesday

here are a few of my favorites from our Christmas pictures!

 

Christmas crafts...

I was browsing pinterest one day while Breanna was napping & came across 2 super cute craft ideas to do for Christmas- 

Supplies are minimal and it is super easy-

Canvas (any size) 
Acrylic Paints
Paint brushes
lastly- a super cute child to help

and here is what we did....

 

Show & Tell Monday-

This is probably one of my FAVORITE subject yet...Thanksgiving, I just love everything about it! Come join the link-up over @ FromMrstoMama.




1. Tell us about your family traditions for Thanksgiving 
 We have dinner here at our house- and just cook lots of food and eat lots and just hang out. I think this year we will start watching the parade w. Breanna while everything is cooking up and wait for family to get here

2. Tell us about your favorite foods 
ALL of it! Seriously. I love every bit of Thanksgiving food...Turkey, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, corn, I could seriously go on for days...

3. Show us a picture that reminds you of this holiday 

*source

4. Tell us, do you wait to decorate for Christmas before or after Thanksgiving?
We used to wait til after to do it all but this year (and from here on out) we will be putting up the tree first weekend in November and the rest after Thanksgiving

5. Tell us what you are thankful for this year 
so so much I will just list a few-

• my amazing husband and my sweet little princess. 
• that I am able to stay home and raise our daughter and watch her grow up
• my amazing family. 
• my amazing bloggy friends(both IRL and on-line) I feel so blessed to have such amazing ladies in my life
•  having a house over our heads and clothing to keep us warm

break...

I am taking a little break on the blog....and by little I mean weekend! Ill be back monday w. Show & Tell Monday- Thanksgiving....in the meantime, head over to Miss Whitney's blog meet some new friends and enter the awesome giveaway! have a fabulous weekend ladies!

wordless wednesday...

 I love our tree this year! I took advantage and played around w. my camera taking pictures of Breanna and the tree and I think they turned out nice {even for a rookie} this is straight from the camera {no editing so dont be TOO hard on me ;)} I also think it may make the cut for one of the pics on our Christmas cards!

life lately {randomness}

Welcome to my newest followers, hope you stick around for awhile! Dont be shy and say hi!!
 
Not too much happening lately...its been quite chilly except for this past weekend, it was in the 70s and PERFECT!  So we have just been hanging out at home and relaxing. I am trying to keep up w. posts but we have been kind of boring lately so hopefully I will find some link-ups to post and keep up.

This past weekend we headed over to my aunts and enjoyed the unusually warm temps my brother and his family came over so it was nice to see them

We ended up putting up our Christmas tree first weekend in November and I think this may be a new tradition!  A lot of people think we are crazy but it is my favorite part of decorating and I like to enjoy it for more than one month plus Brad was all about it! We wont put other decorations up until after Thanksgiving.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, I am super excited its next week! I just love everything about it- especially all the yummy food! This year my sister and her family are coming up so it will be nice to catch-up w. her. I really miss having her close.

We are going to get family Christmas pictures done this weekend. I really am hoping we can get some good ones since this will be our first {professional} pics ever! I wish we would've done outside ones, but that will happen spring time!

I am teaming up w. my favorite... Vintage Flower Farm for a giveaway {the Friday after Thanksgiving}, so be sure to check back, and if you dont want to wait...make sure to like her on Facebook and check out her Etsy shop

This past Sunday we had a nice family day went to lunch at olive garden and then went to Target; Breanna picked out her own ornament- its a kinda creepy looking elmo, I was hoping she would've picked the horton one!

Christmas present are like 75% done, Breanna is done along w. all the kids in the family I know all the other gifts I want to get just need to buy them...

Im hoping to score some tickets to Taylor Swift concert in July...my sister wants to take my niece Kate and pre-sale starts @ 10am!

 

Show & Tell Monday- Cold Weather

Linking up w. Becky again for this weeks Show and Tell Monday- Cold Weather! Come link up or just check them out






1. Tell us what you like to do when it's cold outside.
Curl up on the couch w some hot cocoa a blanket and the fire place on, watch christmas movies, and decorate the house!

2. Tell us some of your favorite "winter" recipes.
I really dont have any `winter` recipes but...
chili is always a favorite fall/winter recipe
hot cocoa
mac n cheese
christmas cookies 


3. Show a picture of something that makes you think of the cold.

source

4. Tell us /show us some of your favorite accessories/outfits for the winter

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5. Tell us if you had the option of snow or no snow, what would you pick?

I honestly dont mine snow really, I just dont like the super cold temps that usually come w. it 


 

Saturday Laughs...

Another week has come and gone...time to link up w. Melissa over @ Mommy-hood Chronicles for some cute/funny Saturday Top 5

When you ask Breanna what do you do to be quiet she puts her fingers upto her mouth and goes shhhh

we have been using our fireplace and we are trying to teach Breanna about things that are hot not to touch and stay back from it... so when its even off she walks over to it and says hot hot

Breanna LOVES to dance...recently she has started this new dance where she does the pony...I so wish I could get it on video its hilarious I have no idea where she even learned it!

If you are singing a song that is on one of her shows and she doesnt want you to sing it she will walk around hitting things to get you to stop

We have hit the no stage...EVERYthing is no no no no no.. the one day Brad got home from work he asked her for a kiss....and she kept saying noooo, noooo, nooo, no dad, daddy no