WEEKENDS ARE FOR FRENCH TOAST AND SHOPPING

…Right? Right.

top: riffraff (sold out, similar here) // jeans: motherhood // Sam’s outfit: thredup (get $20 off your first purchase using THIS LINK!)

So let’s start with Sunday. This was before we headed to church. Look at him!!! I can’t even handle it. He had so much fun in the nursery at church, too. There was another little girl who kept sharing her goldfish with him, and he basically just ran around playing with balls the entire time. So, you know, his idea of heaven. ;) After the service, my uncle said he wanted to go to the front and pray with us over our baby, so that’s exactly what we did- me, Zack, my aunt and uncle. It was such a sweet gesture, and I just felt so loved and what’s more- it made me know just how much this sweet little girl is loved already! Oh, that is the best feeling. The absolute best. She is in good hands.

(spy the second car seat!!!)

We participated in Operation Christmas Child this year, and it’s definitely going to be a new tradition of ours. We got our box at our church, but you can go online and fill one yourself if you’d like! Then your box gets sent to a child in need somewhere around the world. Such a cool organization. :)

I had asked a few weeks ago if anyone had any good French Toast recipes, because mine just wasn’t cutting it. WELL. Saturday night Zack’s aunt comes over on a whim and brings a loaf of Brioche (the best bread everrrrrr- I used to eat it all the time in Paris, OMG so good) and a French Toast recipe. So I made it on Sunday morning and we all devoured it- Sam included. It. Was. AMAZING. The key is to use one egg for every slice of bread (and to have nice, fluffy, big slices of bread- I think that was my major problem before) and then add heavy whipping cream (I just used Sam’s whole milk) until thick, whisk together and add some cinnamon and vanilla. Cook in a hot buttered pan until brown on both sides. We topped with powdered sugar and real maple syrup. Ughhhhh soooooo gooooood. And how sweet is Aunt Peggy?! I love our family!

So, okay. I’m normally on online-only girl when it comes to shopping, but every once in a while, a good SHOPPING day is in order, you know? Like, real shopping. Like, walk through the stores and touch all of the things. And then buy all of the things.

Ha. Ha. Mostly kidding.

all goodies: c/o t.j.maxx

But we did go to a few stores this weekend, annnnnnnd I wanted to buy all of the things. Especially at T.J.Maxx. Oh, man. That freaking place. Literally, I could pretty much buy that entire store. It’s bad, you guys. But also good. So, so good. And we knocked out some Christmas shopping while there, so I’m saying it was a major success! TJMaxx/ Home Goods/ Marshalls are all pretty much my fave places to shop for Christmas presents that are unique, nice quality and perfect for everyone on my list. I love that I can knock out literally everyone in one fell swoop. See above photo. A candle for a girlfriend, toys for the little ones, a spoon rest for mom, tea for the tea lover on your list, a picture frame to put a cute photo in for the grandparents. Boom.

henley onesie // star onesie // heart onesie // tights

We also went to H&M, and of course I haaad to get a little something girly for the little lady. BABY TIGHTS!!! This is something I obviously never got to buy for Sam, so this purchase was really (almost stupidly) exciting for me. They are so tiny! And so adorable!!

dress: c/o levis (similar) // jeans: c/o levi’s

And we stopped by Levi’s so I could use my gift card, annnnnd I found this adorable striped dress on super sale ($10!) and these jeans, which we jokingly have dubbed my “Goal Jeans.” Because there is clearly no way I’m fittin into some high-waisted skinny jeans at the moment. Thanks, Baby. ;) But seriously, I am so excited to wear them this spring- I’m obsessed with the super light wash. (p.s. get 40% off $100 with code BEGIFTED)

(Zack bought me the most delicious coconut pineapple cupcake to celebrate!)

Annnd just a little excitement over here: Over the weekend, I hit 10k followers on Instagram!!! YOU GUYS. I cannot believe it! I had set a goal to hit 10k about halfway through this year, and honestly it seemed like such a lofty one, but now here I am, reaching my goal a month ahead of time!! My blog traffic has also grown significantly along with it. I seriously am blown away, and cannot say thank you enough. Every single one of you that reads this silly blog of mine, that shares your own heart with me and enourages me, laughs with me, cries with me and is along for this crazy journey- THANK YOU. You mean so much to me. I couldn’t be doing what I’m doing without all of your support and I don’t even know how to put into words what that means. BUT. I do know, something that Zack and I have been working on for a while- think 100% FREE blogging advice, with NO strings attached at all– is coming this Wednesday! I’m so excited to share it with you- and hope you love it too! Be sure to check back for that. :)

Phew. Okay. That was a long one. Love you guys!!!

xo