Lost But Not Forgotten

Well truth be told we slacked. Getting something posted even three times a week isn't easy, life gets in the way, but the truth is the point of this blog was to step away from "life" once in awhile and just be in the moment.

So I am making an effort to get back on track, I am not going to go back and repeat the past few months let's just move forward shall we?

Life in the now...

I read a great blog on " 30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself"

Here are a couple of the things that are resonating right now:

Stop complaining and feeling sorry for yourself:

Life's curve balls are thrown for a reason- to shift your path in direction that is meant for you. You may not see or understand everything the moment it happens, and it may be tough. But reflect back on those negative curve balls thrown at you and you will often see that eventually they led you to a better place, person, state of mind or situation. *Let everyone know that today you are a lot stronger than you were yesterday.

Stop being ungrateful:

No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life. Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs. Instead of thinking about what you're missing, try thinking about what you have that others do not.

Stop trying to be everything to everyone:

Doing so is impossible, and trying will only burn you out. But making one person smile CAN change the world. Maybe not the whole world but their world. So narrow your focus.

It was difficult to choose just three of 30 because they all were great. But these three things I want to focus on now.

I need to stop and thinking about all the things that aren't perfect in my life and realize how good I have it. I often get caught up in the daily stress of my job but in the big scheme of things, why worry so much. Life is too short and I need to be more thankful for this life I am able to live everyday.

I also know that I am the type of person that wants to be everything to everyone and never let anyone down. Well... let's be serious that is just a recipe for self destruction! From now on focus on what i can do for others that make me happy and can better my life and theirs.

Here is a little refresher for ya...

Have a Happy Tuesday Y'all!


<3, Mabes.

"The Afternoon (not so) Quicky"

Happy Hump Day Yall!
Its been way to long since my last post so lots to catch up on!

Lets get some house keeping out of the way:

1. Yesterday we entered single digits until Punta Cana (8 Days to be exact)

2. All my beautiful bridesmaids have dresses in their possession and they FIT!

3. I ordered awesome new bedding from West Elm that should be here any day and I am So excited about.

4. My Planner from Erin Condren Shipped Yesterday (Alleluia!)

5. I finsihed all of the pinterest projects I made for Jill for her birthday (Feb.1). I will post my finished product after I have them to her, don't want her getting a sneak peek!

6. I cleaned out my closet this weekend and purged two huge black garbage bags of closed, damn it felt good and you should see all the room I have in that thing!
~~~~

On to other things. One of my other blog Friends Jessica does a weekly challenge with her readers. I think it is a really great idea to get us doing, thinking and acting differently once in awhile.

So every Wednesday I will post a weekly challenge and you all have one week to complete it. Be sure to post and let me know how things went for you.

This Weeks Challenge

"Share the Love"

Purchase the coffee for the person in the drive thru line after you.

I had someone do this for me once and it was such a warm surprise. It feels good to give and to receive on this challenge so find some time in the next week to do it and let us know how it goes!

And lastly a little pinterest find that made me giggle...

If this isn't Kait&Mabes I don't know what is...

Similarly releated, tomorrows post is on being grateful for true friends.

See you back tomorrow!

The Vacation To Do List.

It's almost here - and I'm elated. We leave for Costa Rica on Sunday! Everyone loves a vacation, but no one loves getting ready for them. And, if there is someone out there that does, you are nuts.

What needs to be done before departure? Well, everything. Here's the Top 5 on the to-do list.

1. Laundry.

2. Drive Porter and Maverick to Medina for the time we are away

3. Purchasing book #1 of the Hunger Games to read on the beach - I've heard good things. And, I may as well read the fun stuff since Mabes is reading all of the serious ones!

4. Charge new camera (woo!)

5. Pack - gather the sunscreen and big floppy hats, here we come!

Stay tuned!

Kaitlyn

OH, How PINteresting..

Today highlight are some of my top picks from Pinterest. Pinterst is one of the best inventions since Michael Jackson. I pin constantly and it is always the perfect distraction on a hectic day.

I am teaming up with Jessica from Lovely Little Things to show off what I find to be very, "PINteresting!" Enjoy!

Ok so how absolutely amazing does this look?! I am a big fan of sleeping. And those of you that know me well enough know that I can practically sleep anywhere, besides standing up, but then again that hasn't been tested so lets not discard it just yet! This just looks like half circle heaven, I think I need to contact Santa about this one for next year!

This is my favorite Dr. Seuss quote. Mainly because it reminds me of mine and Brandon's relationship. We constantly do things and make jokes at each other and end it with "... we are SO weird." So it's just fitting. We liked it so much it is the quote on the opening page of our guestbook!

Um, Hello?! Why haven't we thought of this before. Frozen grapes as ice cubes? Not only uber classy but obviously delicious and rich in antioxidants and alcohol once consumed!

Ok so I love this out fit. And I am so happy lace is in. I love lace, I love blazers and I love handbags. Win, win, win, if you ask me :)

Last but certainly not least... Deep Dish Salted chocolate chip cookie pie a la modeeee!

Yup- I don't need to explain. I obviously saved the best for last.

And...I'm drooling.

Have a Happy Thursday All!
Love Mabes

It's only Wednesday...

Motivation. I want to want it. I also want to do nothing. Ever had this internal debate?

That is the feeling going on right now as we head towards the four o'clock hour on day that just seems like it never wants to end.

I've decided that maybe writing a post will perk me up! So I'll let the rush of words to my brain send energy to my fingers and see what happens. In the mean time I'll sip on EBOOST. Have you had it? Its a delicious drink that helps give you energy and support your immune system. I was given a few trial packets from my BirchBox. Wait... did I tell you I got BirchBox subscription?!?

Rewind ...dniweR.

Let me introduce you to BirchBox...

It is kind of like cheese or wine of the month club or something. Well not really but here is the jist-of-it, you get a subscription to BirchBox and then every month they send you a package (who doesn't love a package!) and inside is 5 sample size products from beauty products (make-up, hair, nails) to health things etc. etc. Then if you decided you like it you can go on an purchase it at a discount.

My Birchbox was a fantastic Christmas gift from my brother. I obviously hinted to him that I wanted it (and sent him the link to order it). I was so excited to see my first box at the door last week.

It included the EBOOST packets which are just what you need after the 3pm slump. An awesome shade of nail polish, lip gloss, face cream and a headband!All great stuff! Its kind of like five random things from the Sephora check out line bins!

Well I would like to say tonight is going to be one of those chill-laxin kind of nights but I have made commitments to go to do CrossFit and Power Yoga. So I will work my butt off, sweat my brains out and then feel rejuvenated enough to pass out and go to bed! Sounds lovely right?

And I'll go out today with a little... Motivation...

Sunday: It's supposed to be unproductive.

It's hard to say what I love most about the weekends - coffee with Aaron, Facetime-ing with Megan & Dunkin, or the feeling that its absolutely ok to get nothing accomplished before noon, or before 5pm, or at all.

Our house renovations - going non-stop since August 2009 when we bought the house - are nearing end and it makes me happy that Aaron is finally on board to not be productive the minute he wakes up. This weekend, although unproductive before 9am, we started the final stretch to our home remodeling.

So, here's a little bit of fun from our weekend in pictures. A continuation of the renovations, but the fun stuff (for me anyways.)

To start: we did do dinner at the new restaurant (replaced the mexican placed we loved, Lily's) and is now the Sycamore Grill. Yummy food, good service, but a little loud for my liking. But, we'll go back because Kirky and I loved the martini's.

On Saturday Aaron and I went Antiquing. It was really just my way of getting Aaron to drive me to Zanya Spa Salon to get my bangs trimmed - I knew there was some antiquing to be done around there and we haven't been in months.

Our first stop was good for viewing, but no purchases. Our second - bingo! We went to Zinc in Lambertville, right across from Haas framing (I sent you a picture of that forever ago, remember?). And we found these two beauties, that are already placed in our house.

Mr. Piggy has found himself happily at home in the guest bathroom.

And, today we started the closet renovations. We still aren't done - I had to take a break from the crazy productivity - but will have everything put away before dinner. :-)

Cheers to antiques, martinis and tin pigs!

high 5 for Friday

For this post I am linking up with Lauren over at 'From My Grey Desk' to list my five favorite things about this week this far!

Here we go...(really in no specific order of greatness)

1. THE MAT-

My new obsession with power yoga has lead me to purchase a new mat from Lululemon, it is wonderful and sweat proof, no sliding and slipping. It is fantastic! Bring on the heat, this rookie Yogi is ready to go!

2. This week marks entering the teens for days left until I am in Punta Cana. WOooHooo for the vacation count down! Heaven awaits...

3. To jump to the complete opposite of number two, we FINALLY got snow in Buffalo. For all the haters, believe it in not it has been in the 40's and 50's for most of December and January! This is more like it...

Maybe B and I can finally go skiing?!

4. Blueberry coffee from Dunkin Donuts... need I explain the greatness?

A Kait & Mabes classic. <3

5. Tonight is date night. Weather permiting. I'm hoping for a nice dinner with a couple of glasses of wine- who cares if we are snowed in!

Have a great weekend!

Peace. Love. Prosperity.

-Mabes