Sponsor In December?

 So...I FINALLY jumped in! I joined Passionfruit Ads! WAHOO!! 

It's going to be awesome...and December is going to be an even MORE awesome month over here! 

Wanna be a part of my bloggy next month? 

I'd LOVE to have you for December!!

Have a GREAT WEEKEND people!

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How To Make Your Own Lip Exfoliator (For Free)!

Hey hey hey! I'm over on Lovestitched today (aka the great and wonderful Brittany's blog). And get this - I am her new Beauty/Hair contributor!! How excited am I? Pretty dang excited. Yup. I will be posting awesome tips, tricks & just stuff I think YOU would wanna know about! Look for me to post about once a month!!

You KNOW you wanna get in on this action. I mean, you don't want ROUGH LIPS when you are smoochin' away under the mistletoe right? :)

So...whatcha waitin' for? Head over there and check out my first one:

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Say Hello To Some Awesome Girls!

 Yes...it's time for another Featured Sponsor Day! 

WAIT! DON'T GO!! :)

I know how I sometimes tend to peace out if I see a Sponsor post...but I promise you...these girls are amazing..and TOTALLY worth staying for (and hopping over to their blogs)!!

Since it's STILL the month of Thanksgiving...I asked them each to tell me what they were thankful for. 

I always get a kick out of what things people are thankful for (silly or serious).

BLOG TWITTER INSTAGRAM

Since this is Ruthie's first time on my blog..I thought I'd just mention that she has fast become one of my favorite bloggers! I truly adore her.
She has an adorable puppy & an adorable hubby and her sense of style (in her house and in her personal style) is impeccable! Love her to bits, this one.

{RUTHIE'S 3 THANKFUL'S}

1 - A husband who understands the need for ice cream and foot rubs once a month (or more!)

2 - Netflix 

3 - Frequent Flier Miles

BLOG TWITTER PINTEREST
{ANNIE'S 3 THANKFUL'S}
1 - Glitter leaves writ with thankfulness, taped up on lonely branches by small hands
2 - Grace, over and over again
3 - Small steps of great faith

BLOG TWITTER INSTAGRAM 
{BRIE'S 3 THANKFUL'S}

1. Chili- Cheese Dip- yum!

2. Jamba Juice's Banana Berry Shakes!!

3. Professors that extend the due dates of papers! 

BLOG TWITTER BLOGLOVIN'
{KATELYN'S 3 THANKFUL'S}
1 - I'm thankful that this semester is over.
2 - I'm thankful that God has blessed me with such amazing people in my life.
3 - A job that allows me to live comfortably in this economy to be able to put my way through school.

See? Aren't you glad you stayed?! :) 

Ok...NOW you can peace out and go check out their blogs!! 

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Thanksgiving Weekend & Cyber Monday

 Happy Cyber Monday to ya!! Did you go shopping on Black Friday? I did...accidentally..and it was actually not that bad..but I went late at night so I'm sure I missed the crazies (phew)!! 

If you follow me on Instagram (@jennathewife) I will have a fun giveaway from my shop 

(Neon & Nude) later today for all you fantastic followers! 

For now....I have a sweet discount for you for all you Neon & Nude lovers:

So get on it - do some shopping! :) 

How was your Thanksgiving weekend? I felt like it went by SO FAST..but I really enjoyed my little mini-break from blogging! We had SO MUCH DANG FUN with our families...it was quite the whirlwind of a weekend!! 

We went to lunch with Ty's family at Little America. It was SO YUMMY! I had some delish salmon (I figured I would switch it up from turkey). It was super crowded..but so great to hang with Ty's family - they are the best! Davis was (of course) being a little ham! The best part of the whole meal..was when Ty's poor Grandpa's pants fell down after we ate. Kinda sad..but he laughed..so we all laughed...it was pretty dang funny!

 Then we went to my families for a second HUGE meal of the day. My entire family was there! It was chaotic, fun, crazy and we made LOTS of memories for sure. I love my awesome fam!!

Enjoy the picture overload :)

All the girls in my family (except for the little ones)...and Davis :)

Friday we went to see the lights with my family. It was sooooo pretty. I liked it even better this year because D was in awe of all the lights. Then we did a little Black Friday shopping at City Creek. But not for long..D was OVER it pretty quick. And by over it..I mean...having a meltdown in the middle of the store. Hehe. 

Saturday night we went to see "Lincoln" with Ty's family. It was actually pretty good - I didn't 

think I'd like it - but I did (who knew)! :)

Saturday & Sunday we put up the Christmas Lights (that was ALL Ty, not me in any way)..and all of our Christmas decorations...but my box of ALL of my Christmas Tree Ornaments/Decorations was missing (and still is). I was distraught about it all day - I seriously tore up my basement trying to find it. I had just organized all my huge bins down there..and I know I saw it two months ago..which was why it was so mind boggling. I have just decided to blame it on a gremlin. So I had to run to the store and buy BRAND NEW ornaments. I was PISSED. I hate spending money when I don't need to. 

Ok I'm done complaining now :) But I ended up getting new decorations for the tree..and it looks great..and Davis was happy so I can't complain TOO much. But I'm still pissed. Ha. 

Ok ok I cant help it...one more thing...this vid of Davis "fishing" with his cousins kills me.

Phew! I guess it really was a pretty FULL weekend!! How was yours??

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Happy Thanksgiving (a wee bit early)!!

{from our super happy baby to yours} 

 I'll be taking a very long (and much needed) break from this blog. 

Hey now...don't cry...I can see the tears forming now.. :) 

It's just until next Monday!! Hehe. I'm such a jokester. At least I think I'm funny.

Hope y'all have a GREAT and HAPPY day of engorging yourselves with waaay too much food. 

If you need me, you'll find me planted next to the artichoke dip. Count on it. 

Happy Turkey Day tomorrow lovelies!!

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Me, Myself & I {Link-Up #5}

 Happy Tuesday! I'm a little crazed this week trying to get ready for Thanksgiving and all that. 

My Mom put me in charge of making 60+ Rolls and Artichoke Dip for our dinner...so there's that. 

KIND OF a lot of pressure - I mean..if you screw up the rolls..you pretty much RUIN Thanksgiving. ;)

Wish me luck! 

But welcome to the 5th Link-Up for Me, Myself & I! 

QUESTION 1: 
What are your TOP 5 FAVE MOVIES to watch during the Holidays? 

Ooooh I love me some Holiday Movies. It totally gets me in the mood for everything Christmas. You know what I just realized though? There are NO GOOD Thanksgiving movies. This Holiday totally got jipped. At any rate...my faves are: 

A Christmas Story 

ELF

Home Alone

The Santa Clause

Jingle All The Way (dont judge me..it's so bad it's good)

And ALL the Rankin-Bass movies!

image via

QUESTION 2: 
It's the month of giving thanks - what are you thankful for? 

Well, I wrote a whole post on this, but I continue to remember things I'm thankful for. Since Instagram has been LOADED with everyone saying what they're thankful for! 

Here are a couple more (cause you can never be TOO thankful, right?):

Sketch by Moi.

NAPTIME. 
ELECTRICITY.
ACNE CREAM. 
HOT CHOCOLATE.

MY LIL' FAMILY.

MASCARA/FOUNDATION. 

SNOWPLOWS.

HEATED SEATS IN MY CAR.

BEING ABLE TO PAY FOR GROCERIES. 

TERRY'S CHOCOLATE ORANGES.

QUESTION 3: 
If there was a quote/verse to describe your life, what would it be? 

This one:

AND definitely this one:

Hehe.

QUESTION 4:
Who in your family are you most alike? 

We are all pretty different in my family. But I am definitely most like my sister, Taryn. 

We think the same...we joke the same...we whine at our hubbies the same...we have the same style (although she dresses much cuter than I do most of the time). 

And we share a HUGE love for sour candies.

Gosh I'm gonna miss her when she moves in January. Waaaaaaaah!

QUESTION 5: 

What is your favorite drink order at Starbucks? 

Lemme just preface this by saying I HATE COFFEE. It's just yucky. I know - GASP away. 

Still....yuck. I have tried every possible combo to "make" it taste good..but still no success.

But this time of year, I DO love the Pumpkin Steamers! SO DANG YUMMY!!!!! 

(it's just steamed milk with pumpkin spices in it). Try one & thank me later. 

So there you have it. 

Now come and join in the fun & link up below! Grab a button, and go mingle your butts off! 

October's Co-Host: Bits of Splendor
My Beautiful, Crazy Life // Whispering Sweet Nothings // KV's Confessions
Framed Frosting // For Love of a Cupcake

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GBO FASHION & CHEERFULLY CHARMED WINNER!

 Yo yo yo what's crack-a-lackin? Don't worry...I'm not crazy or anything.

I just HAD to mention that this phrase was ACTUALLY said to me yesterday at Target. 

By the white 20-something-guy standing behind me in line. 

I was sans baby...minding my own business...when I heard THAT phrase come out of his mouth. 

I didn't even know what to say. 

So...I turned around...and THIS came out of my mouth - "Whazzzup." 

 End of convo. 

Yup. That happened. Suck on that little nugget of embarrassment for a while will ya? 

---------------------

In other news...I'm over on my gorgeous friend Shannon's Bloggy today. You know..that super talented and absolutely STUNNING blonde haired maven in charge of G.B.O. Fashion?
She (for some crazy reason) wanted to feature me as her "Style Crush."
Flattered am I! (I am hyper guys...sorry bear with me).
But girrrrl I've been crushing on you for a WHILE now.
Ok...this is getting awkward.

Just head over there and SAY HI to Miz Shannon! And see what I have to say about my own fashion sense. Yikes-a-bee. 

---------------------------------------------

Also....the WINNER of the CHEERFULLY CHARMED GIVEAWAY is.....

Entry #443Lindsey S.

YAHOOOO! CONGRATS!! I'll email you, lady to let you know how you can claim your prize!! 

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The Business of Being Busy.

This morning I woke up and automatically my mind started racing.

Filling up with all of the things I needed to do today. I start making a mental "to-do" list. I can't help it. It just starts flowing into my head. Whether or not I like it, my head is already exploding with every little possible thing I could/should/need to get done today.

My friend Jamie (who I haven't seen in probably three months because we are both so "busy") called me yesterday and asked me when I could get together for lunch. I said "Man, I've just been sooo busy lately..I honestly don't know." We did end up setting a day, but it was only after 10 minutes of comparing our crazy busy schedules. I mean...is that normal? I think not.

When I stopped to think about WHY I was so busy...I had a hard time figuring it out. I mean yes, I have a home to take care of, a super active baby, a blog to keep up with, emails constantly coming in, a shop to keep up with, etc..etc.. But other than that..it's a lot of "BUSY WORK". I never thought this would be my normal.

But it's becoming THE NORM.

I can't go to XYZ because I'm busy with XYZ. 
I can't do that for you because XYZ is taking over my life. 
I don't have time for XYZ because I am currently busy with XYZ.
Etc...etc....

Are we just "BUSY" for the sake of being busy? Does it make us feel better to be busy? When I check something off of my NEVERENDING To-Do List, do I get a mini thrill? It doesn't last long if it's there..because soon after I'm adding three more things to it.

Sometimes, when my hubby gets home, he'll ask me what I did today...and I honestly can't remember. It's full of stupid little things that keep me constantly busy throughout the day:




I thought about my day yesterday...here's a little snippet:
Wake up. Start running through my list. Get up. Make breakfast. Clean up breakfast. Empty the dishwasher. Put the dishes in. Clean the sink. What's Davis doing? Clean up Davis' mess. Get myself ready. No shower. Get Davis ready. No bath. Drive to the bank. Drive to the jewelry store. Go to the tire store. Wait 2 1/2 hours. Drive home. Pick up the toys. Pick up that sock. Put the sock in the dirties. Look at all the laundry I need to fold. Ignore it. Scrub down the microwave. Remember the garbages need to be brought in. Bring in the garbages. Pick up the garbage around the garbage that the man didn't get. Get distracted by my dirty car. Wash the car. Dry the car. Vacuum the car. See the mailman..get the mail. Throw away most of the mail cause it's junk. Stop to look at an Urban Outfitters catalog. Throw it away after 2 minutes. Etc....etc....

You see? I mean...it's just FILLED with little things that take up my entire day. And at the end of the day, I'm absolutely exhausted. Did I spend any "quality time" with my son? Besides the 2 1/2 hours waiting at the tire store..not really. Am I taking time to appreciate every little moment? Or am I just being busy for the SAKE of being busy.

We just LOVE to say we are BUSY. We love it. We feel like if we "say" we are busy, then we are doing something. Accomplishing something. PROVING to people that we have lives that are as important as theirs. Does that make any sense?

Why has it become ok/totally normal/totally acceptable to be THIS BUSY???

As a Mom, my goals are to: KEEP HEALTHY/FIT, KEEP MY HOME TOGETHER, KEEP MY BABY/HUBBY HAPPY, AND KEEP MYSELF FROM HAVING A MENTAL BREAKDOWN. 
Ha ok, maybe not the last one...that only happens sometimes. :)

So you want people to think you "have a super busy life," eh? Well then, keep your physical appearance in crappy shape. Don't do your hair. Put on no makeup. Say you didn't have time to get to the gym. People will feel bad for you. Ohhh you poor thing...you must be SO BUSY!!

And then we can feel better about ourselves. Cause we are busy...so we didn't have time to take care of ourselves. Which is SO SILLY because if we don't take care of ourselves..then we can't take care of anyone else!

What do YOU think? Are you like me? Are you constantly trying to DO EVERYTHING? Trying to be as perfect as possible? Trying to be BUSY just to BE BUSY? 

Or are you stopping to say "it's O.K" that I don't have time for everything today. It can wait. It can wait until tomorrow..or the next day. It's not as important as I'm making it out to be?

I think we all would be a little (or a LOT) happier if we just STOPPED this crazy busy mentality. 

I want THIS life for a day or two....

Is it wishful thinking?

Sound off. Tell me what you think. I'd love to hear it!!


-----REMINDER----- ONE DAY left to enter the CHEERFULLY CHARMED GIVEAWAY!! Pin It

What I Wore {Cheerfully Charmed Giveaway}

You all know me & jewelry are like best friends. And statement necklaces? Duh. We go together like PB&J. Like cookies and milk. Yup - we get along just dandy.

So needless to say I am SO EXCITED to be giving one of you a chance to win some killer jewelry from one of my favorite places, Cheerfully Charmed!! 



They have the most GORGEOUS statement jewelry! I kind of  totally want one of everything!
  

Yellow Jacket: Urban Outfiiters//White Button-Up: Forever 21//Red Skinnies: Target

Necklace: C/O Cheerfully Charmed

Someone photobombed this picture! I'm totally ok with it. :)

Cheerfully Charmed is giving one of YOU a chance to win ONE PIECE (of your choice) from their store! I'm talking like you can pick ONE of ANYTHING!!! The possibilities are endless!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't want to wait to see if you won?? 

Just use code "HAPPY" for 50% of everything!!!!! Holla!!

Good luck ladies! The winner will be announced Friday, November 16!

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Judgy Wudgy Was A Bear

I have been hemming and hawing over writing this post for sometime, now. But the last few days, after reading THIS post from Erin, I knew it was the right time{If you don't know about that post, you MUST read it before continuing to read mine}.

I'll wait.....

Ok...you good? Are you in shock?

I was. ABSOLUTELY. I canNOT get those comments out of my head.

Some of the comments were SO SO SO FUNNY that I literally (seriously, people) had tears running down my face. And then...some of them made me want to seriously cry (and give them huuuge hugs).

What I thought was so crazy was the fact that people felt SO FREE to write whatever they wanted. Free therapy? Maybe. A venting (although kinda scary) session? Ya.

But what I REALLY noticed was not what they had to say. What I noticed was ME. I was judging them. Secretly. At my house. In my bedroom. In my head. Judging away.

Why would someone share that? 
Why don't you get out of your marriage then if you feel like you settled? 
Why is this person so upset about that?
Why are they so crazy racist?
What. The. Freak.?

Yup. Judgy McJudgerson over here. I couldn't help myself. Even though I have NO IDEA who these people were, I couldn't stop myself from judging them and their secrets. Then, a thought struck me -  - maybe I'm the only one who is this judgmental. Maybe THAT should be my secret.

But I don't think I'm alone.

We all do it, right? To our friends. Our families. And you can bet your pants off that we do it to other bloggers.

I have noticed, lately especially, lots and lots of judging among bloggers. Whether you have 10 followers, or 3000. It's there. Some of us, yes, are really good at pretending we don't judge. But we do. Whether it's leaving an anonymous comment, or unfollowing them for xyz reason, or ignoring them on Twitter...it's all judging.

Confession time (not anonymous obviously): I will scroll through my Instagram feed and think...that is such a lame picture...ughh no one cares about your dumb cat...ok if she posts one more pic of her uber expensive shoes she bought I'll scream. Yup. I do it.

Go ahead - say it - GASP! SHOCK! I'm a horrible person! All of the above. Judge away. It's happening in your head right now!

WE don't want to be judged, though. We want everyone to like us and think we are all perfect and have no flaws. When 99.9% of the time - we obviously aren't perfect.

So here's a real thinker for your Friday - we don't want others judging us...so WHY in the heck do we judge other people??!! It's so banana cakes!

SURE, the blogging world is a LOT about blowing sunshine up bloggers butts (as one commenter so forwardly put it). It's about saying "Oh I love your coat" and "You are gorgeous" and "I wish I had your life right now" type of comments. Believe you me...I say those things too. But are we being REAL? Or just trying to BE NICE?

I HEART this blogging world, I truly do. It has given me so many things I never ever thought I would get out of it. But I also want to make sure that I'm living an authentic life.

So, in the words of my mom, I'm going to say this: "IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING NICE TO SAY...DON'T SAY ANYTHING NICE AT ALL"

Oh...and I'll throw a "AND DON'T SECRETLY JUDGE PEOPLE EITHER" in there too.

My goal is simple: I'm going to TRY super duper extra hard not to judge other people. Because that isn't what this world is about. I wouldn't want someone judging me...and so I won't do it to them.

In conclusion (hehe): Just be nice, people. Don't judge. It IS easier said than done...but I DO think it's possible.

Do you like me a little less now that I've admitted my secret? That's totally fine - I can deal with it. :)

DO YOU JUDGE PEOPLE? WHY DO YOU THINK WE DO IT? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? 

One more reminder about this AWESOME SAUCE PASSIONFRUIT MIXER tomorrow night!! 

UTAH BLOGGERS - I better see your beautiful faces there!!

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Thankful Thursday

I planned to start this LAST Thursday..but sometimes..meh..life doesn't work out how you want it to.

SO here we are...in November..the month of Thanksgiving. I TRY to be thankful all year for everything I have, but sometimes..it's hard to stop and take the time.

So I'm stopping. And taking the time.

To say what I'm thankful for. In a time where people are struggling in so many ways, I feel like I am truly blessed. Now, my life is not by ANY MEANS perfect..but I have all the basics to make me happy.

TODAY, I'M THANKFUL FOR........

My Mom's health right now. Not perfect, but she is healthy & happy. SO SO SO thankful for that. 

A HUUUUUGE one is my hubby who works SO HARD for me to be able to stay home with D. Without him and his awesome job, I would not get to see all the little moments Davis has every day. Thankful. 

For my baby (well, toddler I guess). Obviously. I mean..this kid is the best thing that has EVER happened to me. Yesterday, I was looking at him and was still in shock that he's MINE. Like mine forever. If I had nothing but him & my hubby - my life would be just fine. Thankful. 

For having all the essential things to live a daily life. A roof over our heads, clean water, a toilet/toilet paper, a daily (well..every two or three days lately) shower, groceries....all that. Truly truly thankful.

Chocolate..glorious chocolate. Nuff said. Thanfkful. 

My family. And all they are and all they do for me, my hubs and D. Thankful.

Naptime. I am so dang thankful for naptime. Ahhhh precious naptime. Thankful. 


This post from Erin. I could NOT stop laughing reading the comments last night. Ok, seriously some are a little scary...but some are freakin' hilarious. Wowza. Thankful for that fo sho. 

My hubby's grandpa. He had a scare this week...and I'm SO HAPPY he is ok. Love that guy. 


That' s all for today. I'll be back next Thursday with some more things I'm thankful for.

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR??
Leave it in the comments - I'd love to hear!! 


P.S. ATTENTION ALL YOU UTAH BLOGGERS:  ARE YOU COMING TO THIS?? I'll be there with lots of other AWESOME bloggers!!  Come and join the fun!!!!

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