Camo

So, we are half way through 2017.  Can you believe it?? It’s time to refresh in camo!

Next week we will all be celebrating our nations Independence Day!! We are spending the holiday in the mountains; there is something about small town mountain parades, fireworks and festivities that I absolutely love. In fact we are headed up today and staying for almost a week!!!  I promise to not go ghost like last time…. well maybe!!

As I check in on how 2017 is going I have a lot to celebrate but I also have a few challenges that need to be brought to the surface and worked on.  As we are mid-way through this calendar year (side note: because I was in school and a teacher for so many years I often think of a year from being Sep-Aug ?) I want to refresh some of the intentions I set for this year; being intentional, being thoughtful and being authentic.  I want to add a few to the list to finish out the year; being flexible, opening my heart and taking care of myself.  Like flowers, each year I plant new and refresh the old… I tend to them, nurturing them and giving them love.  It is time I do the same with my life.

Being intentional and authentic in my actions, my thoughts, my time and my decisions has been at the forefront of my mind this year but recently, I have found myself slipping away from that. I have been catching myself caught up in the “should be” or “perception” of my life instead of the true authenticity of it.  Recently I took some time away from social media and got a little lazy about the blog in order to really determine my intentions in continuing and how to remain authentic.  What I found was a greater opportunity to be present with my family BUT I missed the interactions with my friends on social media and I missed the opportunity to express myself on the blog.  So, I refreshed and reset my intentions to be authentic and real here in this space and on social media.  Finding the balance is important and it took a little slip for me to be reminded.  So, I am back but with the understanding and commitment to not let this rule and dictate my life.  If I don’t post one day it is not the end of the world, if I have a gap in blog posts people won’t turn away from me and if I miss an opportunity for a collaboration there will be another one soon (and probably one that is a better fit for me anyway).

I recently shared with you guys, here in this post, the importance of raising a kind and respectful son yet I have been slipping on being kind and thoughtful to the people around me.  Sure, I wish people a happy birthday or happy anniversary but I have stopped going out of my way to be thoughtful.  I have stopped sending those handwritten cards, I have stopped sending a random text to brighten a day and I, sometimes, have stopped returning people’s phone calls. “I am busy” is how I justify those actions… but that is just an excuse and downright pathetic one at that.  Being busy should never stop me from being thoughtful.  Folding laundry can wait until I send that quick text, watching that show can wait until I write out that card, finishing this blog post can wait while I call my sister-in-law back.  Time is what I make it and I am refreshed and ready to make thoughtfulness a priority instead of my to-do list.

Photos: Jenna Sparks Photography 

shop the look: shorts // top <similar> // trainers // necklace 

shop Declan’s look:  shorts <similar> // shirt // shoes

YOU GUYS—CAMO.  CAMO.  CAMO.  I mean if you didn’t know I am obsessed with camo however I tend to be a very picky camo lover.  Like it has to be just the right colors, the right camo print and obviously the right price. This shirt defines perfection in my camo world.  Target does it again.  I am seriously loving Target this summer season.  I swooped this baby for under $20.  What is better with camo then my other love; chambray? J. Crew Factory is my summer clothes go-to and these shorts are currently less than $20 and come in so many colors and prints.  I own about 17 pairs of these shorts but the chambray are by far my favorites.  They are light and easy to wear on these hot hot hot summer days.  Classic Adidas kicks  Clean white Stan Smith’s…need I say more.

New Intentions

As I reflect on the past 6 months I recognize that my heart has been closed- to friendships, to opportunities, to life. Not for the next 6.  As someone who craves routine and structure I am often thrown into a small panic attack when plans or activities don’t go the way I had thought.  RELAX AMANDA.  Go with the flow, enjoy the ride and see the benefit in learning to be flexible.  I am a mother (duh) and that comes synonymous with not taking care of yourself.  I mean I get a good amount of sleep and I drink my fair share of wine but I need to continue to focus on my physical and emotional health.  I am back to running (as one of my friends pointed out I don’t share my love for running very often- I guess I am a closet running lover), I am working out again.  I am determined to read more despite being exhausted at night and I will focus on disconnecting when I need to.  Hold me to these intentions and help me keep my priorities but please forgive me when I slip up.

With Love,