What I'm Loving Right Now

There's a post brewing that I'm just not ready to write yet. For now, though, I've been allowing myself to enjoy some other things. How about a What I'm Loving Right Now post? Here goes:

Erin Condren Life Planner

I have been on the hunt for a handheld, paper planner that will work for me as a mom, an active member of a church plant, and a writer. I don't want everything I do to be spread out all over the place. Enter this planner. Y'all. I feel as though it's worth the $50. Now to save up my pennies...

World Market

But seriously. How have I not experienced the wonder of World Market until now? I feel as though I've been deprived all this time. Their lighting, in particular, and the general feel of quirkiness that they rock is making me feel super excited right now. I haven't bought anything yet, but that wood bead chandelier is calling to me! There are some Denver area locations - glory.

Project Life

I have been eyeing this method of scrapbooking for quite a while. I generally do take a picture a day, and I would love to be able to use all of this cuteness to keep a handheld version of my everyday chronicles. They sell it at Hobby Lobby now so it's more accessible. I've really been wanting to do a better job of keeping up with our little family's life for a long time. Also - saving the pennies for this one.

Tyler Rodan Tote

Truth: I have no idea who Tyler Rodan is but every bag I was drawn to on Macy's site is designed by him. I used to be the queen of purses - as in, I bought them all the time and had a million of them. Now, I have none. I'm not kidding. I have a killer Mommy/Diaper bag that washes easily and holds eight tons of goodies from Thirty-One but I don't have a grown-up, woman purse. I'm pretty sure I've never paid more than $40 for a purse or bag, and I am so hard on them that they are mutilated in a year. At this point, for an item I use almost daily, I feel like $80 - $100 every few years is fair. A tote is my best option because of laptop transportation, notebook carrying, and all the other things I have to fit in my bags. 

Available at Amazon

This one is making me chew and think and consider. I don't agree with all of her theology, but I sort of love that she makes me think about why. This is one of the things I'm most excited/terrified about in this next season of growth and learning: being forced to decipher which beliefs are mine and which are the hand-me-downs of the faithful saints before me. So far, I have a lot - but not all - in common with said saints. If you are looking for something that makes you a little squirmy in your conservative seat, this is a great option. It's God-honoring, honest, and challenging. 

What about you? What are you loving right now? What are you saving your pennies for or just plain marveling at the ingenuity of?

You're so vain

It's true. I am.

I really cannot deny it. My family still finds it humorous to joke about the fact that they had to move childhood me to a side of the kitchen table that didn't face a window so that I'd stop looking at myself when I talked. True life. To be fair, my vanity decreases with every passing year of my existence, and I'm pretty sure motherhood has almost cured me of it altogether.

I still like to feel like I look pretty, though, and I'm guilty of wanting my girl [soon to be girls] to look pretty, too. I'm not really proud of this self-attribute, but it is what it is. I'm working on it, okay?

This love for things that make a girl feel like she looks pretty doesn't really fit into a world where we try to live within a budget because, quite frankly, I have expensive taste. Always have. Pretty sure I always will. Just ask The Hunk. I will, without looking at any price tags, inevitably pick out THE most expensive item in the store. Every time, people. And tonight was no different. I hit the outlets this evening for just a few minutes to run a Father's Day errand and upon passing J.Crew felt like I really should go in.

I really should NOT have gone in.

It called to me, that knit periwinkle and white chevron maxi skirt. It said, "You know what you need me for? You need me to function as YOUR going home outfit after Marilee is born. Who's making sure you look pretty on that day?" One look at the price tag and my reason answered back, "Not even $89 is going to do much for you in the pretty department barely 48 hours after giving birth. Let's be honest, lady." And out I walked without a darn thing to show for it. I can't even find it online so that you can fall in love with it, too, and congratulate me on my champion self-control and reasoning skills!

You should also know that I went in Janie and Jack shortly after that. What is wrong with me? They had a matching baby romper and big sister dress that would have only cost me $50 altogether.  See?

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I put those back, too.

...I should get a medal for that! -Ross