In the Heights

Date Night rolled around again, this time in the form of a fun night out at a really awesome musical:

In the Heights.

This show was super energetic and full of heart. 

Just the way a good Broadway production should be.

And the music was amaaaaaaazing.

The kind that makes you want to run out and buy the soundtrack so you can pump the jams and do a little salsa dancing and freestyle rapping in the comfort of your own home. ahem.

A few things I learned on our night out:

--Sometimes a smorgasbord of salty & sweet snacks makes a perfect substitute for a full meal.

--Rap musicals are unexpected and pretty darn awesome.

--I need to brush up on my Spanish. (Although, I DID know the meaning of "Abuela"....thanks Dora the Explorer!)

--I really wish I had some smooth moves.

--Will doesn't like having his picture taken while enjoying a giant pretzel.

1920's Glamour & Glitz

Do you know what I've been swooning over lately?
Retro styling that is reminiscent of the Roaring Twenties.

The 1920's were synonymous with sophistication and decadence;
and, in my opinion this era was OH so chic.

I adore the silk fabrics and lace accents of the clothing,
and I like the cloche style hats.
But, most of all, I LOVE the look of '20's hairstyles.
These 'do's taut tempting texture, tons of tousle, and a whole lot of sexiness!

The revival of 1920's hair can be seen everywhere....from the 2012 high fashion runways to this season's hottest television shows.  Wavy styles have been spotted on the red carpet and even on the big screen....have you seen the previews for the upcoming remake of The Great Gatsby? Wow. Clearly, the Jazz Age is having a major fashion moment.

Girls, have you heard of ghd?

Let me tell you:

ghd is a world leading professional hair styling brand,

and their award-winning products are beyond awesome.

The ghd Scarlet Collection is sure to make you fierce and fabulous. 

Just look at the beautiful Katy Perry, photographed for the Scarlet Collection:

Her hair is gorgeous and glamourous. AND it embodies the style of my most favorite era...the Roaring Twenties.

So, are you wondering how to get this pretty style yourself?

 By using the ghd Scarlet Collection, of course!

Included in this indulgent gift set are:

-a limited edition red plated ghd styler

-two sectioning clips

-a protective plate guard

-a lovely heat resistant red satin styler roll bag

Hmmmm....sounds like a perfect Valentine's Day gift, right?

---psssst....bookmark this page on your guy's computer! Maybe he'll get the hint!---

Would you wear '20's hair??

GIVEAWAY// inspired by Alice.

You guys.

I can't tell you how much I love Alice in Wonderland,

and all things inspired by Alice's whimsical tale.
Soooo,
I'm extra excited about today's giveaway:

Shabby Apple's new Mad Hatter line, full of fanciful flourishes and lacy little details, is the perfect intersection of Victorian charm and the off-the-cuff whimsy of Wonderland. Inspired by Alice's adventures down below, and our own traipsing about town in London, Paris and New York, Mad Hatter features fresh silhouettes in airy fabrics--flowing, floor-length maxi skirts, trapeze tops and lace a-plenty--perfect for the warmer days ahead.  Choose from smart separates, ladylike lace dresses, or punchy patterned frocks, and start planning that backyard tea party--you'll have no excuse to stay inside in dresses like these.

The Mad Hatter line will be unveiled on February 1st!

To celebrate,

Shabby Apple is giving one lucky reader

THE WHITE RABBIT'S TIME KEEPER

a beautifully crafted pocket watch necklace, made of etched antique brass metal.

(It's even been featured in Southern Living Magazine!)

TO ENTER:

"Follow" Hudson's Happenings via Google Friend Connect

&

"Like" Shabby Apple on Facebook

(then just leave a comment below telling me you "followed" and "liked")

Easy, right?

*this giveaway will be open until Tuesday, February 7th at 12 am CST*

**this giveaway is open to US residents only**

As a little bonus, here is a SNEAK PEEK of some of the lovely new fashions

from the Mad Hatter Line:

On Faith. And the Rain.

I've been holding out on you guys.

Big stuff is happening for our little family these days.

See, we put our house up for sale in October.

Our cute house that has been so lovely and cozy and perfect since Will and I got married.

And it's still lovely and cozy and perfect...

but, unfortunately, it's also grown a little too small for us (and all of Hudson's toys).

So since October, our life has been filled with a little more turmoil than I'm used to....

people coming to look means me constantly keeping this house sparkling clean.

Which you might imagine is quite difficult with a toddler.

We have to be ready to get up and get out, sometimes with only moment's notice, and then we have to find things to do to occupy our time.

We've gone for car-rides. We've gone to the park. We've gone to Daddy's work. We've gone just about everywhere in town.

One time, we had to get out of the house, in the rain.

The people showed up over an hour later than they had said they would be there.

Hudson got choked on a Chic-fil-a chicken-mini biscuit, and vomited all over himself and the car.

We had no change of clothes. 

Another time, in the rain,

Will had to come get our two huge "outside" dogs, and take them to work with him,

(since he's the VP he's allowed to do that sometimes. ha.)

because someone was coming to look at our house, and they were "deathly afraid" of dogs.

While he had them at work, one of them ran away.

Thank goodness, she came back.

My point is: since October, things around here have been less than ideal.

I've been extra stressed. 

I've felt a little bit like a live-in maid.

I've been a tad cranky.

I've been worrying about what will happen in the future.

BUT

(congrats if you're still reading this, by the way)

Yesterday, we got a phone call from someone who wanted to look at the house.

In the rain.

I scurried around, picking up, dusting, sweeping...telling Hudson to sit down on the couch because Mama had to clean, because someone was coming to look at our house. 

(Bless his heart, he really listens when I say someone's coming to look at our house.)

So he crawled up on the couch, with his dinosaur book,

and as I scurried around, I heard him talking as he flipped the pages:

"Dear Lord.

Thank you for this day.

Thank you baby's friends.

Somebody look at our house today.

Amen."

And my heart absolutely melted. 

Into a big puddle, much like the ones that were forming outside our door.

One little moment has never taught me so much about FAITH and LOVE. 

So from now on....

I'm keeping my head up.

I'm having faith that God's timing won't let us down.

And even though I am hoping and praying and wishing that someone will buy our house SOON,

I truly believe that it will happen at exactly the time that He has planned.

So yesterday, in the rain,

we ate lunch and stomped puddles and read books about snow in the lovely public library.

And we laughed alot.

Roll Out the Red Carpet!

Imagine my surprise when the lovely Janette informed me that she had created the FIRST annual Blogscars Awards (Blogging Oscars...how cool is that?), and that I had been nominated for not one, but FIVE categories! 

Wowza!

I am seriously over the moon.

Not only because the Blogscars is a GRAND idea,

but because I am nominated in five categories with some of the most wonderful awe-inspiring ladies in this great big blogosphere!

Look:

Here are my nominations:

Best Blogture 

(equivalent to Best Picture)

Best Blogtress in a Leading Role

(equivalent to Best Actress)

Best Costume Design

(Original Fashion/Style)

Writing

Photography

If you think that I deserve a WIN in any of these categories,

please please please CLICK for me in the polls below!!

I'd be really excited if I won any of the categories!

Big THANKS to Janette for creating these Blogscars! (you can see the other categories HERE)

AND an even bigger THANKS to all you lovely and wonderful people 

who read and enjoy this little 'ol blog of mine. 

BIG HUGS!

xoxo

Tell me the Truth.

Hudson caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror, and said "I LIKE me!"

On my birthday, the three of us were riding in the car.

Will: "Hudson, did Mama get lots of nice presents for her birthday?"

Hudson: "Mmmm-hmmm!"

Will: "What did she get?"

Hudson: "Three dollars."

Hudson and I were drawing pictures with crayons.

Me: "Should we draw a little boy?"

Hudson: "Yes!"

After the drawing was finished, 

Hudson: "Wait! He needs a diaper!"

As Hudson and I were looking at a book about alligators (which he loves) he started talking about them.

Hudson: "Alligators need water. Alligators need a pond. Alligator says snap snap snap."

Me: "That's right."

Hudson: "Tell me the truth."

One morning, I heard Hudson in his bed, waking up. I looked on the video monitor, and he was sitting up in his crib, shaking his head and say "Not again! NOT again!"

Hudson: "I want to watch King Lion!"

(also known as The Lion King)

Hudson noticed this picture above our table as we ate breakfast at Cracker Barrel:

Hudson (yelling out in surprise): "OH! That's Gennie!" 

(Gennie is my mom/Hudson's grandmother.)

 HaHa.

I can definitely see the resemblence.

Peanut Butter Banana Bacon SMILES

You know what's fun?

FUN is = a cozy night in with girlfriends and one (slightly strange) singing, animatronic Elvis head.

My friend Marianna had us over to watch an amazing Elvis Presley documentary. We got all decked out in our Elvis best, had a glass of Elvis wine, and enjoyed LOTS of laughs.

Robot Elvis talked and serenaded us. And, let me tell you...it's quite an odd feeling when you think that only 3 of you are in the room, and then you suddenly catch a glimpse of a life-size Elvis head in the corner of your eye. 

CREEPY.

Did I mention that there was delicious food involved?

Marianna and Katie created the most lovely dinner of spicy spaghetti and organic balsamic salad....

and I brought dessert. 

In honor of the King, who obviously loved his Peanut Butter, Bacon & Banana Sandwiches,

I whipped up a sinful batch of 

Elvis Cupcakes: 

Banana Nut Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Icing, garnished with Candied Bacon.

(is your mouth watering yet?) 

Ummmmmm, we may need to practice our lip curl. 

Happy Monday, everyone!

I'm ready for some Bachelor drama! 

Inside all of us is a wild thing.

This weekend was the kind that seemed to last for 2 weeks. 

It's been gloomy and rainy for so long that I can't remember what the sun looks like.

Hudson has had runny nose, which also, unfortunately, comes along with a mild case of crankiness.

And Will & I find ourselves combatting my least favorite component of winter-time: cabin fever.

It's only mid-January and I'm yearning for Spring. 

Or at least a little bit of sunshine.

But, out of this grizzly, icky weekend...there were some good things, too:

--that time the rain let up enough that we were able to run outside and "play football" with Hudson.

--that time I slid through the house on Hudson's plasma car, as he laughed and pushed me along.

--that time Will and I stayed up late watching funny movies.

--that time we ate delicious breakfast for dinner. (my favorite)
--that time I overheard Hudson "reading" a favorite book in his room.
You can listen, too:

Always a bright side, folks.

Always. 

And here's one more happy....someone's getting a new dress. 

Outfit Inspiration

Shoes, Shorts, Top, Blazer, Clutch, Bracelet

Today, for the first time ever, I'm finally joining the rest of the blogosphere in linking up with my friend {av} for Friday's Fancies! This week's  theme is: Outfit Inspiration.

When I spotted this outfit on Elle.com, I was instantly inspired.

It's timeless and minimalistic. And lovely.

There's just something about the clean lines in classic black & winter white....

and the pretty pops of aqua add just the right amount of whimsy.

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend! 

p.s. Don't forget: you have until MIDNIGHT on Friday to enter my Shabby Apple giveaway!!

A pep talk.

Life is hard sometimes.

And unpredictable.

Just when you think you've got everything figured out, 

things change.

But then you hear something that turns it all around.

And a mantra is born.

When things get tough, remember this:

"You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. 

But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward.

How much you can take, and keep moving forward.

That's how winning is done.

Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth.

But you gotta be willing to take the hit,

and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody.

Cowards do that and that ain't you.

You're better than that!"

---this midweek pep talk

is courtesy of

Rocky Balboa.

     Keep SMILING!

{'I Think I Can' print via}