Currently Loving {DIY} Thursday Link Up

With the summer in full swing and romance in the air, it's very easy to get carried away with all the gorgeous weddings. I have planned and attended a few wedding in last number of years and loved every minute of it. There is just something so fresh and breathtaking about seeing a newly married couple, full of life, love and dreams. It always puts me in a fun, romantic mood and makes me want to whisk my hubby on a getaway. 

This year I have the privilege to plan and help decorate my cousin's wedding, who's getting married overseas. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend the wedding itself but I have been gathering supplies, spray painting everything in sight and stalking Pinterest for ideas. Everything is very expensive in the part of country my dearest cousin lives in, so even with shipping, it's cheaper to buy stuff here and send it over. Plus it's fun for me! 

The bride is one of the sweetest people in the world, and I'm so glad I get the opportunity to plan the funnest and prettiest wedding I can. She gave me the full freedom in creating a look that will be budget-friendly yet chic. The wedding itself is in the fall so the colors needed to be appropriate for the season and here is what we came up with. 

Today I'm sharing with you a tried and true method to create a desired look on a budget. A no-brainer DIY for people who are planning weddings, showers or any other celebrations. Part of the decor is gold accents and those can add up to a pretty penny. I went to the thrift store and found as many matching martini glasses as I could find, then spray painted them gold. 

You will need:Glassware

Spray paint

Gloves

Plenty of paper to cover the work surface

First I taped off the button half of the glass with tiny pieces of painter's tape.

Then I covered the rest of the glass with paper, exposing only the part that needs to be sprayed

Spray and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. I was doing this on a very hot day so they were dry in a matter of seconds.

I put them out on the sun once finished to dry. 

And there you go! Cheap and easy way to creative pretty decorations for any party! 

Dress Review {eShakti}

dress: eShakti c/o
heels: Zara (similar1, similar2)
clutch: DIY (similar1, similar2)
bracelet: J.Crew (similar)

I'm so very excited about this post! I've been working with eShakti for a few months to get this dress fit just right. According to most measurement charts, I have an irregular body shape, with a tiny waist and sometimes two sizes larger hips. Almost every dress I wear needs custom alterations to fit just right. 

When eShakti first approached me, I was super excited to work with them. First I ordered the dress based on their size chart but it was too big. So I send them my measurements and they customized another dress for me. Although, I think their sizing runs a tad large so if in doubt, size down. 

The customer service team was super patient and understanding and even after I mixed up the measurements twice, they didn't drop me. Honestly, I love the fact that I was able to add sleeves, because there is nothing more I love like a perfect pencil dress. The stripes give it a Kate Spade-ish feel and make me feel glamorous, while staying very comfortable. 

I have mentioned this online retailer before when I was doing post on modest clothes and so glad that I got a chance to wear one of their dresses.  

eShakti created a coupon code 'ANNES' exclusively for HAPPY MEDLEY readers to get 10% OFF your next purchase. PLUS you can register with them and receive another $25 off! 

Please note:

Code has to be entered in the ‘promotional code’ box.   It is not case-sensitive.  

Code can be used any number of times until the validity period. 

It can be clubbed with any other promotional offer, gift coupon or gift card in the same order unless explicitly specified otherwise in the offer conditions.

This discount code is not applicable on clearance / sale, gift cards & overstock categories.

Not applicable on previous purchases. 

This is a sponsored post but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Floral

blouse: LOFT
skirt: thrifted (similar, similar)
heels: H&M (similar, similar)
bag: Ali Express (similar)
belt: LOFT (similar)

There is nothing like a nice family weekend with plenty of good food and relaxation. We had a lovely father's day weekend with a cook out and lots of daddy-and-me time. But here is to a new week with tons of laundry to do while my dryer decided to die on me. Thankfully it's warmer outside that I can hang everything on the clothes line outside. I love how the clean clothes smell when they dry outside - it brings back so many childhood memories. And my mom said it brings back her childhood memories when she looks at my midi floral skirt. Everything circles back in fashion and if you hold on to something long enough, you can wear it again in about twenty years. 

Have a great day and thank you for stopping by! 

Spinach and Ham Quiche {Recipe}

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. While browsing for breakfast dishes that wouldn't take up my whole morning to make, I stumbled upon quiche. I didn't want to stand at the stove for an hour whipping up something delicious while I miss family time. This recipe is really convenient if I assemble the whole thing the night before and just pop it in the oven in the morning. Easy and delicious breakfast served for the whole family. Plus hubby said that this was the best quiche I have ever made (that's something) and I agree.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole Unbaked Pie Crust (I use pre-maid Pillsbury crust)
• 1 whole Purple Onion, Sliced
• 1 cup of Spinach (about a handful)
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 8 oz of  Smoked Ham, Diced
• 5  whole Large Eggs
• 1/2  cup of  Half-and-Half
•  Salt And Pepper, to taste
• 1/2  cups Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Preparation Instructions

Fry the onions in the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat for at least 15 to 20 minutes (maybe longer), stirring occasionally, until the onions are deep golden brown. Add spinach and fry until just wilted then take off the heat. Set aside to cool.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Roll out the pie crust and press it into a fluted deep tart pan (or a deep dish pie pan).

Whip the eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a large bowl, then mix in the onions with spinach, ham, and cheese. Pour the mixture into the pie crust. Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet, cover lightly with aluminum foil, and bake it for about 30 to 35 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 5 more minutes, or until the quiche is set and the crust is golden brown. (The quiche will still seem slightly loose, but will continue to set once remove from the oven.)

Remove from the oven and allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. If using a tart pan, remove the quiche from the pan, cut into slices with a sharp serrated knife, and serve!

If you want step by step picture instructions, check out Pioneer Woman's RECIPE for her quiche because it's incredible. Basically you can put anything you want into it.  It's easy and delicious way to start your morning right ! 

ENJOY! 

Currently Loving {Family Edition} Thursday Link Up

What I'm loving now...

...romantic family picture while Jonathan refuses to comply

...simple cake with whipped cream topping and fresh strawberries. delicious

...some moms get flowers but I get pine cones. so sweet.

...da men of da house

...his favorite person in the whole world. 

...exploring with grandpa

...family picture

...grilling some delicious burgers

Spending time together as a family isn't always as easy as it seems. Most of the time, there is something to do and we get so busy forgetting what it's all about. Last week we took some time off to just relax and eat. Yes, you can't relax without a good burger and a slice of cake by your side. It was nice to kick back and just enjoy, while someone else does the cooking (er grilling). And although we may not have it all and aren't perfect, spending time together really brings us close together and makes us appreciate the life we have.

RULES:1. Please follow your host (via Bloglovin' or Instagram ) 
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! I hope you all enjoy meeting other bloggers and discovering some new things. 

An InLinkz Link-up

Two to One

dress: Target (similar)
vest: Gap
bag: Dorothy Perkins (similar)
sandals: Gap (similar)
watch: Target (similar)

Every week I watch my sister's daughter. I sort of get practice for two kids already. Her and my son are six months apart and the bigger they get, the more similar their behavior is. Right now they are in 'everything is mine' stage. They don't want to share or be nice, and although they have undying love for each other, they pound on one another half the time. On those days, I don't get dressed until about 2pm and don't even try to follow any  kind of schedule. They are good kids and obey when I put my foot down but, at the same time,  there is two of them and only one of me. It gets hard sometimes but the moments they are cute and loving on each other they melt my heart. Those are the moments that prove life as a mama is worth it all.

Hope you are having a great day! 

As Good as It Gets

tee: Old Navy
skirt: J.Crew
bag: Ali Express (similar)
shoes: Macy's (similar)
watch: Target  (similar)

The other day hubby and I were discussing the business of weddings, after we received a wedding invitation from our friends. Their nuptials are going to take place on our exact wedding anniversary, even the same hour! It was wild to read their invite, because it reminded us of our own wedding. It's going to be six years (WOAH) next month since we walked down the isle. It feels like we got married few months ago not few years!

We reminisced about our wedding day, talking about all the things that we hold dear to our hearts. Coincidentally we were on the way to the same hotel we were staying at on our wedding night, for lunch. I said that I remember very little from 'the best day of our lives' and how unrealistic expectations get people in trouble. Of course, everyone dreams about a romantic and gorgeous affair which ends in a passionate night of hot lovin, but that's simply unrealistic. 

It was a very well organized day with a lot of places to be, people to see and things to do. Expecting it to be the best day ever seems to set people up for failure when something goes wrong. Having it as stress free as possible is as good as it gets (we had a minute by minute schedule we gave out to our whole family - it helped). And I'm fine with that. It was a very happy day, but the best part? The rest of our lives together.

Thank you for stopping by! 

Currently Loving {Dressed Up} Thursday Link Up

top: J.Crew (thrifted) (similar)
skirt: J.Crew (similar)
wedges: Aldo (similar)
clutch: DIY (similar)

As I mentioned last week, I lost the camera charger (and hubby almost killed me). So it took a few days to order a new one and have it shipped. Now we are back up with regular scheduled posts and I have to say, I missed it. Blogging is such a fun thing and I love doing it. Although, having a break from outfit pictures was something I needed. Here is the love of all things cute and dressy - my yellow blouse with fun print skirt. 

An InLinkz Link-up

On Becoming a Morning Person

image

This is me. Well, not really a picture of me but what I'm doing every morning at sunrise. I'm running. Thanks to some friends, and marathon-running sister of mine, who encourage me along.

I've never been a morning person. Since we got married, hubby and I would stay up late and then sleep in until cows came home. It's a little different now - baby wakes up by eight am every morning and one would think that we would change our sleeping habits. But we really haven't been doing a good job going to sleep at a normal time, i.e. before midnight. We would stay up way too late and be exhausted the next morning, hating it every time. 

With the daylight savings time and early sunrise, I feel like I'm loosing precious time by not waking up early enough. However waking up @5:30 am just to be by yourself isn't exactly all that exciting. I hit the snooze button and go right back to sleep. Even if I'm trying to have extra time to do my Bible study, with a cup of tea in hand and half asleep. 

It's just not motivating enough. 

But when a group of us agrees to meet at six am to exercise, it's a totally different story. It's like there is an obligation to go. First, I have to keep my promise to come, and then, I will get all those texts if I don't. Having somewhere to be at a certain time makes the whole thing very official and important.  

Mind you, I only ran a few days but I already like it. I love the quietness of the streets, crisp morning air, and the gorgeous morning sunrise. I push myself to exercise, having some time think and clear my mind. And the half an hour girl talk after the run is so much fun that I would come just for that.

Then I come back early enough to make pancakes from scratch and have prayer time, all before everyone wakes up. 

Now I just can't wait for nap time, because I'm already exhausted even though it's only ten am.

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. (Psalm 5:3)

Fear {Motherhood Challenges Series}

Motherhood is a challenging task. It makes you take an honest look at yourself and evaluate who you are as a person. Of course, none of us can reach a point where we have corrected out bad habits to the point of perfection. In addition, every child needs to learn from his parents how to grow, learn from and deal with difficult parts life.

Fear is one of the biggest motherhood challenges. It's not the fear of my son getting hurt physically (nothing can stand in a way of a toddler) but the emotional pain that I may cause, or who he may grow up to be, or the future that expects him. 

A lot of times, I fear what I'm doing isn't enough or wrong, and I start doubting my own abilities as a mother. I fear he will grow up to make some awful mistakes or will hurt other people. I fear that I'm not patient and tender enough to show God's love everyday. I fear that he doesn't see the loving and ever-bearing parent I want to be. I fear that something I do or say will impact him forever and he won't recover from the consequences.
As mothers we face the reality of life every day and want to protect our children so much more but we cannot. What we can do is ask God to cover all our inabilities and insecurities with his love. It's not that we won't make mistakes, but we know that God keeps our children in His hand and in whatever we're lacking, He will fill up. Whatever we can't do, God will finish and whenever we mess up, He will give mercy.

Fear disables us from moving on and cripples our ability to love fully, give our all and do great things. God doesn't want us living in a constant state of desperation and tragedy, better yet he has a plan. We just need to trust Him and let go. He knows the present, he has been in the past and every child has a future. When we do our part, he will take care of the rest.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (John 4:18)

When Life Gives You Lemons

 Pink Lemon Dress,   Iphone Case,   Sweater,   Keds, Oven Mitt,   Slice Lemon Purse,  Paper Napkins,    Straw Bag,    Art Frame,    Bathing Suit,   Placemat,    Necklace,    Strapless Dress

Honestly, I'm not the one to jump on the trend bandwagon as soon as it arrives. I usually take a while to warm up to certain ideas and maybe the last blogger on the planet earth that doesn't owe anything camo. Yep, still not very fond of that trend. But when I saw lemons on everything from paper napkins to handbags, it was love at first sight. It's such a fun and summery trend, which made me feel refreshed even without lemonade in my hand. So if life gives you lemons, make a trend out of it. I wonder who's life was going sour that they decided to put it on their designs. In any case, it's such a fun and quirky print that, even though I probably will not be getting a lemon bag, I will at least grab some table napkins. 

What do you think of this summer print? Yay or nay?

Thank you for stopping by!