Currently in July

Can you believe it's July already?  How is that possible??  Anyway, it's time for my favorite link up of the month, Currently with Anne and Jenna!  Here are some of the things currently going on!
--Currently I Am--
Craving - Ice cream.  I haven't had a good old fashioned ice cream cone in ages.  We don't do a lot of sweet treats at our house these days, but maybe I'll talk Nate into a trip to one of my favorite ice cream places this weekend (Izzy's for you locals).  They even have dairy free options for my kiddo!
Grilling - Last night Nate made us a steak.  We had our grilled pizza last Friday too.  This weekend I think we'll be grilling up some hamburgers and hot dogs at my parents house for the 4th of July.  I'm hoping that there will be some good corn on the cob soon so we can grill that too!  I love grilled corn!
Listening - I have such music fatigue right now, I'm tired of the same stuff in rotation!  I've been pulling up Spotify a lot lately and streaming some different things.  I'm really digging ZZ Ward right now, she has kind of a bluesy/folky sound to her voice and I really like it. At home we've been streaming a lot of instrumental jazz in the evenings while we have dinner and that's been kind of nice too, light background music.
Planning - Even though it's months away we're actually already planning for our yearly Oktoberfest celebration.  Nate finally made a list of beers he wants to brew and a rough plan of when they need to be brewed by in order to be ready.  So we'll be doing a lot of homebrewing very soon here I think! I'm also planning a slight change in my living room at home to create more of a separate play space for Oliver and I'm really excited about my ideas.  And finally we have narrowed down three ideas for our big anniversary trip and I'm going to get in touch with my local AAA office to start getting that planned out as well.  Exciting things coming up!
Decorating - Not much of anything right now!  Though when I get into my living room re-design I'll be doing a little bit of decorating there.  I also have a bunch of things to hang up in Oliver's room that I'm hoping to just get done this weekend, so maybe that counts too?  
So there you go!  Not the most exciting Currently post ever, but that's what I'm up to right now!  Stop by Anne and Jenna's blogs to check out what other bloggers are currently up to or to add your own link!

Currently in May

Time for one of my favorite monthly link ups - Currently with Anne of In Residence and Jenna of Gold and Bloom (formerly Dearest Love).  My answers to this month's prompts are not the most exciting ever, but it's still a fun check in on things, so here we go!
--Currently I Am--
Designing - I was originally going to have nothing to answer for this one, but thanks to a blogger event I am going to be attending on Monday, I might be quickly trying to design a blog business card to print at home real quick!  I've been talking about making some forever, so I guess this might be the kick in the pants I needed!
Enjoying - Spring.  Duh.  Next question.  Ok, I'm kidding.  But I really am enjoying spring so far, which if you've been reading along you pretty much already know.  I was actually telling the gal who was doing my pedicure last night that I never used to like spring or even summer all that much when I was younger, but as an adult, even pre-Ollie, I have really come to appreciate it!  And of course given that my child loves the outdoors I love it even more.  Another thing I enjoy about spring and being able to eat outside?  So much easier to clean up after my kid.  Leave the mess for the birds and squirrels!  I'm also enjoying seeing all the beautiful flowers popping up lately - found these lovelies at the park the other night. 

Ordering - I haven't really been ordering much of anything.  I have hit the thrifts here and there and I went to Target and finally bit the bullet on a pair of white jeans.  Nate has been ordering a bunch of stuff for his new car so we can easily take it on our vacation, so we've been getting boxes of things for luggage and such.  I'm thinking about ordering this shirt from Old Navy for Ollie though:

Elmo and selfies?  This shirt was made for my kid!  As for me, I could use a new pair of tennis shoes but I don't think I'll be ordering those, I'll have to go to the store in person for that!

Tasting - It's iced coffee season again baby!  I made my first batch of the year over the weekend and got myself a fun new cup to take it on the go!  My first batch turned out just a hair on the weak side though, so I'll have to get a darker roast for next time.  I also splurged and got myself a beverage dispenser to keep it in.  It looks kind of like this: 

Celebrating - Coming up this weekend is Mother's Day, so we'll be celebrating that.  I'm hoping to do it up kind of like we did last year, a nice brunch out with my favorite boys and then visits to our respective moms as well.  And then at the end of the month we have our nine year wedding anniversary, so you can bet we'll be going out for dinner to celebrate that too!
So there you have it!  That's the news from here for now!  Be sure to check out Anne and Jenna's blogs for other Currently posts or to link up your own!

Your Spring Style - Spring Celebrations

It's the last week of the Your Spring Style link up with Shea and Anne.  This week is all about spring celebrations - outfits we'd wear to spring weddings, graduations, parties, etc.  Sadly, we have no major celebrations this spring other than our own anniversary later in May.  That's ok though, I still pulled together a look I'd wear to a celebration.

I went a little more laid back on this one.  I think a maxi dress with a nice denim top or denim jacket makes a fun look for an outdoor gathering or barbecue.  I'd also wear something like this to dinner with Nate for our anniversary.  I like it because it looks nice but is so dang comfortable!  I'm a big fan of maxi dresses for their comfort!

Denim shirt - Old Navy, Maxi dress - Stitch Fix

Bag - Stitch Fix, Jewelry - Stella and Dot

Sandals - Target 

This overall look even feels a bit nautical - I suppose it's the stripes and the fact that while you can't see super well in the pictures, this shirt has little anchors all over it.  Maybe I need to go to a celebration on a boat!

Below here I thought I'd share an up close picture of my arm party - I love layering lots of bracelets in the spring and summer, my arm has a celebration every day!

It sounds as if next spring and summer we'll have a lot more celebrations - I have heard of at least three weddings coming up in our families and I'm sure in addition to the weddings there will also be showers.  So, hopefully this stuff is all still in style next year and I'll be all set!
Do you have any celebrations coming up?  What would you wear to a spring celebration?  And be sure to check out Anne and Shea's blogs for other spring styles!  Thanks to the both of them for a fun link up this month!

The Circle - Reverse Bucket List

I'm a few days late on this link up, but I saw the neatest blog topic over on the blog In It's Time for her monthly Circle link up - make a reverse bucket list.  So often we obsess over the things we hope to do in our lifetime and the things we're striving for - and of course it's important to have those goals and wishes and whatnot, but I think it's kind of a neat idea to also reflect on the things one has accomplished as well.  So that's what today is all about - a list of things that I've already done. 

My Reverse Bucket List

1. Graduate college in four years.  When I was going through college, the average graduation rate was five to six years.  My college had a "four year" guarantee, but I also changed majors after spending the majority of my first year taking courses that reflected my first major.  I really thought I'd put myself behind, but thanks to taking a couple of summer sessions and getting my generals out of the way during those sessions, I graduated on time.  In fact, my last semester I more than enough credits to graduate, I instead took a class or two for fun and worked.

2. Visit Disney World.  I was extremely lucky to not only go once in my life, but actually, four times.  This is not to say it's not still on my list to take Nate and Ollie there eventually, but I'm blessed to have been able to go as many times as I already have.

3. See the ocean.  I've seen the Atlantic Ocean both from the Florida coast and from the coast of Maine - drastically different from north to south.  Some day I would like to see the Pacific Ocean too.

4. Marry my best friend and the love of my life.  I don't think much more explanation is needed on this one.  I've spent over half of my life with him and I wouldn't have it any other way.

5. Fire a gun.  I talked about this a few weeks ago when I did a post about fears.  I never ever thought I would ever have the courage to shoot a gun, but my wonderful husband made it possible and it was a very empowering experience in the end.

6. Record a CD.  It was always one of those things I wished I'd be able to do, but never figured I'd have the opportunity.  Thanks to our music group however, I did have the opportunity to do it and while at times it was extremely stressful, it was an amazing experience and I am beyond proud of the finished product.  It's something I'll cherish for the rest of my life.

7. Get a belly button ring.  We all do stupid things in college right?  Well that was mine.  My one rebellious, crazy thing. I realize compared to what some do in college, it seems fairly tame!  I will say this - I no longer have said belly button ring.  Not necessarily by choice.  There was an incident.  We'll leave it at that.  Piercings and I do not always get along.

8. Take 15 teenagers out of the country and get them safely back in.  I worked as a youth minister for two years and took my kids to Canada for a mission trip.  It was post-911, so the whole leaving the country thing was a little bit daunting.  Especially when one of the girls only had a document from her school instead of a passport or birth certificate which I only discovered the day we were leaving.  But thankfully, we made it safely back into the country!

9. Sing the National Anthem at a baseball game.  When we were still at our old church, our choir was given the opportunity to sing the National Anthem for a Twins game.  It was when they were still at the Metrodome, but it was a super cool experience, especially when the Twins run out on to the field and are pretty much just several feet away from you!

10. Get pregnant, deliver naturally, breastfeed for over a year and fall in love more every day with the most amazing little boy.  I can't imagine our lives without our sweet Oliver.

So there you have it!  It's nice to really sit and reflect on your accomplishments!  Maybe someday I'll share what's on my actual bucket list, but today, it's just nice to see how far I've come.  Start the weekend on a positive note.  What would be on your reverse bucket list?  And, I hope you all have a great weekend!

Your Spring Style - Spring Essentials

Happy Tuesday!  I'm back this week linking up with Shea and Anne for Spring Style month - this week we're talking about spring essentials, items that are necessary for spring in our closets!  A couple of weeks ago I posted a spring wishlist and today I am wearing one of the items I found recently off of that list and would definitely consider a new essential item for me - this pleated pink skirt.

Blazer - American Eagle (thrifted), Tank top - Old Navy

Skirt - Banana Republic (ThredUp) Necklace -via swap, 

Shoes - Target, bracelets - Stella and Dot

Earrings - Lia Sophia

I sold a few items on ThredUp a few weeks ago and turned around and bought a couple of things with my earnings.  This skirt was one of them.  While it wasn't exactly like the skirt on my wishlist, it is more or less what I was looking for and I may even like it better!  The other items I feel are essential for spring are a good denim jacket or blazer, white tank top or t-shirt, cute flats (not quite ready for sandals yet!) and of course, a little bling!

I'm excited to style this skirt other ways too, but this classic look is fun and fresh for spring!  What are your spring essentials?  And head over to Shea Lennon and In Residence to check out other spring styles as well!

Currently in April

Happy April and Happy Spring!  No April Fools here.  I hate April Fools Day to be perfectly honest! Instead, I'm here with my favorite link up of the month, Currently with Anne of In Residence and Jenna from Dearest Love!  Here are some current happenings in my world!
--Currently I am--
Wearing - So I have worn a variation of this first outfit on the blog before, but I love these jeans and this sweater from Target pretty hardcore.  This was what I wore to a baby shower for my cousin the other day.  If it's a weekend, I'm pretty much guaranteed to be in something like this.

Sweater and jeans - Target

Bag and necklace - Stella and Dot

shoes from friend

Otherwise I'm wearing all the spring colors now that it's spring.  These next two looks are looks I pulled together for the Pinned It Spinned It challenge I follow on Instagram.  I have so much fun remixing the looks that the two gals who put it together choose!

Dress - Mossimo (Target), Jacket - F21 (two birds garage sale)

Leggings, shoes, scarf - Target, 

bracelets - S&D and Ollie's birthstone (gift from my clinic)

Sweater - Mossimo (Target), Skirt - LOFT (thrifted)

Bag - Coach Outlet, Shoes - DSW

Necklace - S&D

Sipping - At this very moment?  My coffee.  In my awesome giant purple travel mug.  If it was happy hour I'd probably be sipping a beer - likely an IPA, so many good fresh hopped ones come out in the spring!  Or I'd love to be sipping a margarita.  Or this new concoction Nate made us one night that has lime juice, gin and mint liquor.  It's rather refreshing.  Is it 5:00 yet?  No? Ok.  Coffee it is.

Wishlisting  - I have a couple of items I'd like to add to my closet for spring and summer.  I still would like to find a pair of white jeans even if I think that's crazy talk because I'm messy and I have a toddler at home.  I also would love a pleated pale pink skirt.  I am trying to decide if the gaucho pants craze is for me.  I tried on two pairs at Target and was not impressed, so I'm thinking maybe not.  But some more pixie pants from Old Navy in spring colors would be fantastic!  I'd also like to replace my boyfriend jeans because the pair I had are just no good anymore.  I'm also looking for a nice emerald green cardigan.  
Writing - Besides this blog post, not much!  Some to do lists I suppose and if writing stuff in Ollie's scrapbook counts I suppose there's that, although I haven't done as much work on that lately either.  
Exploring - Now that it's been nice out we're trying to explore more outdoor things again.  We've been to the Como Zoo in St. Paul a number of times now but I'd really like to take Ollie to the MN Zoo which is a lot bigger.  They have a Farm Baby exhibit during April, so it might be fun to go see that.  I also just read that our Landscape Arboretum is getting a Lego sculpture exhibit in May - we saw one in St. Louis last summer and it was awesome, so we will definitely be going to check this one out too!
And that's about it for now! We're definitely keeping busy and enjoying the sunshine and nice weather whenever we can! What are you currently up to?