Currently Loving {Polyvore Edition}

Ahoy Captain! 

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Spring Colors

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Mint Chocolate

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Lady In Red

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Ladylike In Floral

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I've been shopping. A lot. Well, I haven't bought anything but still, just clicking away at items and making outfits is just so much fun. It's like having a personal styling session for your girlfriend who doesn't have a monetary limit. Although, I've splurged on couple of the outfits, I mostly stayed true to my own budget. I've gone all out nautical and crazy with pastels for this spring. But more than anything, it's the perfect accessories that get me going to make the perfect set. So if you need a shopping fix without breaking your budget, head on over to Polyvore, make an account by registering and start creating sets of your own  imaginary closet. Get inspired to remix your clothes in a new and fashionable way. Just don't get jealous or frustrated that you can't have everything. It's just a game, so enjoy it!

Visit my Polyvore profile to get details of all the outfits and see more!

Anna                                                                                 Amber 

RULES:

1. Please follow your host (via Facebook or Instagram ) and your fabulous Co-Host Amber from Fasion, Floss and Lip Gloss (via Facebook)

2. Link up anything... it could be one of your previous posts that you are loving or something new you just can't wait to share!

3. Please include a link back to this post within your post or grab my button from the side bar (because it's such a nice thing to do!)

4. Now simply add your link below! We hope you all enjoy meeting other bloggers and discovering some new things.

5. If you would like to Co-Host Currently Loving Link Up, email happymedley@gmail.com for more details!

Spring Favorites :: Style Challenge

{EXTENDED DEADLINE!!!}

 It’s time for a style challenge featuring spring favorites!  To participate, please following these guidelines:

1.  Photograph ONE item from your spring closet styled in TWO different ways. You do not need to include outfit details. 

2. Position them side by side into a 600px wide image with no borders. Please use this template. (If you’re having trouble, check out Jessica's of What I Wore Style Challenge for examples). I will only include properly formatted photos.
(Above picture is an example. You do not need to include the dates with 'Now and Then")

Using your photo editing program and follow these steps for proper formatting:

• Size image 1 at 500px wide
• Resize canvas to 1025px and use left or right alignment
• Size image 2 to 500px wide, copy and paste into 1025px canvas, creating a 25px space
• Resize entire image to 600px

3. Name your image after yourself and your blog (example: ANNA_HAPPYMEDLEY)

4. Send your image and a link to your site to ADEMKO10 (AT) GMAIL.COM by WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16th, 2014 by 5pm EST with subject/ title SPRING FAVORITES STYLE CHALLENGE.

5. Only entries that follow the above guidelines will be included.

This is a great way to promote traffic to your blog! The more the merrier, so please feel free to share this challenge with your friends and readers as well! The post featuring all the outfits will be published on Friday April 18th, so you will get extra exposure from weekend readers!

Linking up with What I Wore Wednesday and Random Wednesday with Shanna

Style Elixir (follow here!) | The Real Arnolds (follow here!) | Happy Medley (follow here!) | With Pearls & A Stethoscope (follow here!)

Friday's Fab Favorites Link Up:

1. Please follow your Host Style Elixir (via Bloglovin' or Instagram) and your fabulous Co-Hosts... Amy from The Real Arnolds (follow via Bloglovin') Anna from Happy Medley (follow via Facebook) Caitlin from With Pearls & A Stethoscope (follow via Bloglovin')

2. Link up anything... it could be one of your previous posts that you like, or a post about your favorite things!

3. Please include a link back to this post within your post (because it's such a nice thing to do!)

4. Now simply add your link below! We hope you all enjoy meeting other bloggers and discovering some new things.

5. If you would like to Co-Host Friday's Fab Favorites, email stylelixir@gmail.com for more details!

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Join The Link Up Now!

Hint Of Spring

blouse: Loft (similar). sweater: J.Crew,  skirt: Ann Taylor (similar), heels: Zara (similar)

It seems that everyone around the blogosphere is styling sandals and cute summer dresses... Alas, I cannot even start thinking about sandals! We had some snow yesterday night and now all of the ground is covered with white stuff. But when you are so desperately in need of spring and sun, you do whatever you can to bring some sunshine in your life. Like this sweater. Yes, it's bright and it's yellow but does it light up my outfit! It's a hint of spring in this cold, frozen world I live in, called New York.

Thank you for stopping by! 

Currently Loving [Life Edition] + Link Up

My life has been a complete disaster for last couple of weeks. First hubby and I both got strep throat (thankfully Jonathan escaped that toll) and then as soon as everyone felt better, we caught a stomach bug. This time no one escaped and it was the worst. Slowly but surely I'm back to my normal self, Jonathan is still recovering but hubby was fighting it for a week and finally surrendered with fever and chills. 

So, there isn't much to love in my life as of late but I made an effort to find things that make me happy and enjoy them as much as I can. Here I present to you what I'm currently loving in life.

Currently Looking At: this adorable face. Love

Currently Working On: fireplace mantle with spring flowers and vibrant colors

Currently Smelling: fresh blooms sitting pretty on my kitchen table 

Currently Reading: the spring edition of Cooking Light magazine. Crab cakes here I come.

Currently Can't Get Enough Of: the cutest smile and bear hugs

LINK UP

Parenting Toddlers

When it comes to parenting, different stages of child's life require much wisdom. Babies are sweet and sleepy; they want to hang out on your shoulder and as long as they are fed and changed, it's all good. Now, toddlers are a totally different story. They are fully functioning members of a family, as they try prove themselves at every possible opportunity. They are very independent at this age and yet need us the most. So here's how parenting a toddler has changed my life. 

DO...

1. GIVE FREEDOM (as much as it is safe). They have very little control over their world - from what they eat to where they sleep, we decide everything for them. So whenever possible and you can give them the freedom they so desire, do so. Let them experiment with different foods and textures, run freely in controlled environment and don't be too harsh when they make a mess. 

2. TEACH. At this point in their life, they soak up every single bit of information that comes their way. Toddlers are very observant, that's why they imitate adults so much. Give them place and time to learn instead of restricting everything all the time. Whenever you have time, sit down, play, read and have fun with them. It may seem like not much to you but they are learning even when you are just goofing off. They are learning valuable social skills of human interaction and trust.

3. BE FAIR. Keep everyone in your household, including yourself to the same standards. If you think they shouldn't have candy but you are \eating M&Ms by the bag full, they will catch on very soon. They may not understand it and you may be able to get away with it now, but sooner or later they will resent your partiality. 

4. REDIRECT. When so little of your life is in your control, and you can't do this or that, frustration comes on easily. Toddlers are frustrated a lot at the world around them because they either can't do something, won't do something or simply don't want to do something. Redirect their attention away from the frustration and engage them in something else.

5. BE CALM. Whenever toddlers are upset, frustrated or cranky, it's best to stay calm. It won't do any good to you or them to get all frizzled and start yelling. Escalating situation by yelling and making arguments will just make it worse because they will resist it. Just accept the fact that they will be upset in some near future and will refuse to do whatever it is you want them to do. So keep calm - you have a toddler on hands.

DON'T...

1. REASON. At this point in game, they don't understand reasoning. You can explain all you want why they need to go to sleep and why mommy loves them, but they don't understand it. When making rules, be firm but soft spoken. Assure them by hug or kiss but still keep on doing what you must. 

2. BRIBE. I know it seems that everyone is doing it but it's simply very ineffective way to train. It teaches the child that he needs to do something only if there is a reward for such behavior. They need to learn that obeying and listening is part of their life. It's simply what they need to learn without alternatives and bribes.

3. IGNORE. Sometimes you just want to close your eyes and not see what's happening. But your toddler is watching you every moment of the day. Sure there are times when it's better to just walk away and not engage, but ignoring mean and defiant behavior will not do him/her any good. It needs to be addressed, punished and corrected.

4. GIVE UP. When it seems like you've tried every option and they still refuse to follow directions or eat that veggie, just step away. Don't keep at it if there are no results but don't get so frustrated you just want to give up. Sometimes, you just need to regroup, find another approach and start all over again. Repetition and consistency is your best friend when it comes to toddlers.