The drybar experience=great hair!

Oddly enough I kinda hate going to salons. I'm usually there forever even just for highlights and spend a fortune. The drybar changes everything, its a hair salon offering only blowouts. For just $35 and 30 minutes you choose your cocktail: manhattan (sleek &smooth), mai tai (messy&beach), cosmopolitan (loose curls), southern comfort (big hair volume), and straight up (simple and straight). They are a chain that thrives on great customer service with beautiful results; check their website for locations. I meet my bestie there and it was the perfect way to relax in the midst of a challenging vacation!

 Clever chandelier!

 Great decor!

 Check out that wallpaper!

Here's my best friend, Carey...she went with swingy and straight!

 I got the cosmopolitan (loose curls!)

 Day 2 of my drybar hair, stayed like a charm plus they used both of my favorite products; moroccan oil and living proof!

Top 5 positives of a vacation gone wrong!

Fort worth Texas was full of unexpected surprises from its cold front with highs in the 40's to my 4 yr old's instant sickness the minute we set foot in Texas. Were talking fevers, cold, cough and the runs! Needless to say there were many days spent in the hotel and trips to walmart for more pants and undies! Here's my list of positives that keep my head above water on a vacation gone wrong!

1. Found a really great indoor park we visited every morning due to the aforementioned bad weather.

2. Sickness makes a more sedated easier to handle Gideon!

3. I'm happily addicted to all Aveda products, thank you very much Marriott hotel for your free samples, which was conveniently nestled in Sundance square; great location.

Handsome husband ordering some southern bites at Vidalias; I highly recommend the fried green tomatoes.

Edamame at Piranha killer sushi restaurant!

4. It was too cold to enjoy any outdoor activities anyway!

Best Guacamole I've ever had made tableside at H3 ranch.

Found random petting zoo at the Stockyards.

Famous Longhorns!

What's a visit to Texas without a horseback ride?!

Our last day the sun shone through and we immediately found water.

The visit was completely worthwhile because of our time spent with Nana and Papa, isn't she so beautiful!

5. Thanks to the Drybar salon I had great hair while facing the unique challenges of this trip 

(more on that tomorrow!)

Obviously as evidenced by the pictures we still had a great time, despite climate setbacks and a sick kiddo!

Favorites Friday: Heading down south

I'm beyond excited for our trip to Ft. Worth Texas (we went last year too). Husband works away at an aviator's conference while we go and play! We will be hitting the same stops as last time....the zoo, stockyards, and maybe the botanical gardens too. I'm meeting my best friend at the drybar in Dallas and will be blogging that experience (hair salon offering only blowouts, check them out!) Most of all just looking for some sun and family time down south!

Can't wait for some southern sweet ice tea 

Bring on the big brunches and laid back mornings.

Got my toes painted a hot coral and so did Gideon....what can I say? Laughed out loud when I saw this picture on jcrew's site, glad I'm not the only one who lets their son paint their toe nails! My Marine husband will be so proud!

Some other fun-loving links:

The things that make a home

Pretty one piece swimsuit

Little girl room inspiration

Shoot me over any recommendations if you've been to Ft.worth!

See ya'll next week....I may pop in with a post or two!

My calling

image via thehopemovement

Have I ever shared why I became a nurse? Well, I wanted to be a missionary in some third world country as a nurse where I could make a practical and spiritual impact! So how has that panned out? I did do a few medical missions trip, but ultimately felt awful going and leaving for such a short time; although I know an impact was made! So my long-time dream and ongoing vision is still to live as missionaries in some third world country, even as a family. Living here in the States is such an ongoing attack on my flesh to continually buy, be discontent, and strive; my spirit struggles to stay alive. The spirit as in the holy spirit in me which desires heavenly things not earthly things. Not that living in a third world country clears that all up, but it certainly changes your daily perspective! Just wanted to recast my vision here on the blog because my calling for missions was more than 10 years ago, but it still pulls on my heart! If God places something on your heart, be sure to write it down and then just watch Him bring it to fruition, its such a great adventure!

"And the LORD answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it."

Habakkuk 2:2

6 month baby bump

Moving right along with our baby journey! In fact, I actually got my due date moved up to July 3rd, how great is that?! My cravings have gone from salty to sweet and wow do I have a mover and shaker in there, yikes!

Spring photo shoot

What a great weekend full of flowery blooms, easter eggs, and a great dinner with the girls! We are gearing up for spring pictures and I couldn't be more thrilled to be outside hunting down the best blooms for picture-taking opportunities!! Stay tuned for the Washington D.C's famous cherry blossoms they are on the brink of blossoming!

Head here for more of this shoot and here for info on our spring mini sessions!

Favorites Friday: Red

Red is popping up everywhere lately including budding trees! It's really putting a spring to my step.

Adore these red pants via the lovely emersonmade

Red in the bathroom will wake you up!

 Red under the shoe is a nice surprise

 Frozen grapes, how refreshing.

All other images via Pinterest

The most powerful and moving poster for Japan and another place to give.

Tablecloth line-up

This is so sweet.

A bohemian pregnancy

Need a diaper bag?

Finishing up my David Bible study this week, saying goodbye to husband (again!), prepping for spring shoots, and admiring all the blooming flowers!

Happy weekend, dears!

"Create in me a pure heart, O God,
   and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

Psalm 51:2

Family friendly house tour

Here's another fun, bright, and colorful home that's family friendly. They did a ton of diy's and thrift shopping, but you would never know!

This is an ikea kitchen but with carrera marble countertops and glass mosiac backsplash.

They simply wallpapered a section of their wall and framed it with crown-molding to create a focal point.

The chair was a thrift store find, she refurbished and reupholstered.

Those are outdoor tables and $50 craigslist chairs with reupholstered cushions.

Children's artwork featured in the stairway gallery, so bright and colorful.

Images via styleathome

Meet some DIY rockstars

So when I do a DIY in my home I honestly have no idea whether it will work or not! Well, remember my zebra console table?

Heather used my console table tutorial to achieve her fabulously glam nail head console table:

I love how she styled it with the art underneath and the parrot piece on top, so creative! Go Heather, what a rockstar! Check out her stylish blog House of Movi for more of her vintage/glam style.

and the roman shades in my dining room?

Lauren of gathering moss used my roman shade tutorial to achieve a roman shade in her bathroom:

That honeycomb floor and perfect paint color on those walls make for such a serene beautiful bathroom and the shade is the cherry on top. Well done, Lauren! Be sure to visit gathering moss to catch more of Lauren's home and diy's.

You gals truly made my day with your mad DIY skills!