Loves on a Thursday- Pastel Hearts

Helloooo! Colleen and I have a special treat for you this week...
Sarah from If You've Seen My Mind...I'd Love it Back
is hanging out with us! So go say hi and give her some love!

 Lately, I've been getting in the mood for that Valentine's holiday coming up, but not in the traditional red & pink way...

1//Webstagram 2//Love Sugar 3//Amanda Catherine Designs 4//Natty By Designs 5//Pennies on a Platter
6//Signe Sugar 7//Chieu

I love the mixture of sweet pastels with hearts! Candy hearts, anyone? {which are the most disgusting but oh-so cute candy!}

I also want to thank each and every one of you that voted for me in the Top Creative Moms List at Circle of Moms. I was truly honored to be a part of that list and amongst some pretty awesome ladies! To see the final list of Top 25 Bloggers, head on over here :)

And don't forget about the upcoming event on Valentine's Day...




Are you a Pinner? Etsy stalker? Blog hopper? Photographer? Have cute kids? Loving life? Always looking for pretty things? I would love to see what your loving lately!

Grab a button and link up your pretty finds!

<a href="http://www.imprintalish.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Loves on a Thursday" src="http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l607/Alicia_Hummel-Kettlewell/lovethursdaybutton.jpg"/></a>

PRIOR TO LINKING UP

Colleen, Sarah and I would love for you follow us :) If you could provide a link back or display our button in your post, we would love that! And please credit the original source when using other's projects and photographs!

WIWW-My Mom Look

Although my closet is overflowing with pretty & stylish clothes{I've worked in retail for well over 12 years, and I love fashion!}, the majority of those clothes are my 'weekend work clothes.' During the week, with two little's running around, those pretty pieces in my closet give way to 'drool' proof items...

...and this is about as good as it gets when I'm hanging out at home, surrounded by mega blocks and paint, tractors and farms and a suspicious sticky mess on the floor. This is what I would wear if I knew someone was coming over, or if we were going to play group. It's my cool comfort look and much more presentable then the yoga pants that are usually on my body.

Shirt-Forever 21 //Cardigan-shop I used to work at//Jeans-Mavi //Ring-Forever 21

I like to play with patterns and color & cardigans are my favorite! The perfect piece to layer over top a flowy tee!

...and something about distressed, soft, brushed denim-so comfy!

What does your cool, casual mom style look like?

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy

p.s. last day to vote over at Circle of Moms-takes 5 seconds and I would love to have your support :) Vote for Imprintalish as Top 25 Creative Moms!

Learning to let go...

For me, I always have something on the go. Which used to be ok, but now {maybe cause I am getting old-ha!}My mind gets jumbled, and I'm not sure where to look first. It's like inside my brain I have all these tabs up {like in your Internet browser-where I constantly have 10 open!} and just as I close one down, I have another idea and open up another tab. Then just like my computer{ cause it's old too!} I overheat and freeze. So, long story short, I am due for a reboot :)

re·lax 

to make less tense or rigid

to become less intense or severe

to seek rest or recreation

to cast off social restraint, nervous tension, or anxiety

So, I settled on the word RELAX for 2013 in hopes that if I could come to terms with learning how to take time for myself mentally and physically, then I would be able to take on the projects I want too and feel more on top of the game. And of course, a little extra me time is OK too :)

I want to be in the mind set that if I can't get something done, then it wasn't supposed to happen. I don't want to feel like those 'failures' {or expectations} are holding me back and making me frustrated.

So I have to let go...

Let go of the comparisons that often come with being a mom and hearing other moms stories. Let go of the assumptions that come with blogging and the comparisons we place on ourselves in the blogging world too.
Let go of the voice that whispers and taunts me in my head that someone is better, or did something better then me. I need to learn how to ignore those voices!
I have to let go of the assumption that the world will stop moving if I don't do this or that. Obviously it never stopped prior, so why would it now?
I have to let go of that perfect image in my head. The perfect family. The perfect house. The perfect job. The perfect life....
I have to let go of the excuses and be accountable for my actions. Just stop eating the junk food!

I know that it won't be easy and there will be times when I feel like I haven't been giving it my all. I will feel that all too familiar feeling of guilt or pressure when I see someones beautiful home or perfect outfit. I will feel overwhelmed when days go by and I haven't wrote a single word or my inbox is full of emails. But I must let go of those ideals before I can fully work on my objective for the year...to RELAX.

P.S if you have 5 seconds, I'd love for you to vote for Imprintalish as Top 25 Creative Blogs over at Circle of  Moms! There is only 24 hours left to vote, thanks so much!

Scavenger Hunt Sunday-Textures

Wow, it's been so long since I linked up with Ashley for Scavenger Hunt Sunday! I got a little incentive from Sarah last week, and was reminded about how much I loved participating in it. So this week I dusted off my camera and jumped right in! To confess, I haven't been taking many photos lately. it's winter, it's drab, it's cold, it's blah...so it's inspiring to look at everyday things a little differently when trying to fill the weekly prompts that are given. This weeks prompts were...

Lace-I just so happen to be working on a few projects with lace...so whatdyaknow...

Bling- The only bling that gets worn daily lately other then my rings, my sequin slippers from Old Navy that were $10! They are fur lined!

Wood-A close up of a 'new' {old} rustic dresser that is now in my office.

Fuzzy- A rocking horse tail...

Fabric-I have an overwhelming amount of fabric, here is just one pile of scraps...

P.S Voting ends for the Top 25 Creative Blogs in 3 days on Jan. 30 at 4pm PST!! If I could pretty please with a cherry on top vote for Imprintalish over at Circle of Moms, that would be so awesome :) it takes 5 seconds, no signing up for anything, just a click of a button! Right now I'm at 33 and up against some pretty amazing women, which is so awesome and inspiring! So if you like what you see here, head on over and vote for me, Imprintalish, you can even vote every 24 hours if you like :) Thanks for your support!!!

Hope your having a great weekend!

Loves on a Thursday-Announcement & Breakfast in Bed

It's Thursday again! This happens every week, right? Nevermind, my mind is a bit numb from looking after sick kids again, urgh! It's never ending...at least this time it is only fevers & coughs, not projectile vomiting...ok...so, on to happy things...

I have an announcement to make!!

I've sent out some teasers on FB and Twitter, but here is the official announcement...

Mark your calenders for the coolest Valentine's Day Pinterest & Blog Hop!

<a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">href</span>="http://www.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">imprintalish</span>.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">blogspot</span>.com" target="_blank"><<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">img</span> alt="Loves on a Thursday" <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">src</span>="http://i1126.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">photobucket</span>.com/albums/l607/Alicia_<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Hummel</span>-<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Kettlewell</span>/7lovelythings300x300e_zps988efa1e.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">jpg</span>"/></a>

Valentine's Day just happens to fall on a Thursday, and since Thursday is our dedicated L.O.A.T day, Colleen and I are amping it up and hosting a 7 Lovely Things on Valentines Day Blog & Pinterest Hop!!! And since a party is way more fun with lots of people, some of my favorite fellow bloggers are joining us on February the 14th for the 7 Lovely Things on Valentines Day Pinterest & Blog Hop!!!...

They are...

Just Love.ly, 

Lena B Photography, 

La La lists

The Anna Delores Blog

Fun, right? All you have to do, is pull together 7 lovely images that inspire you into a blog post. On February 14th, head on over to one of the 6 hostesses listed above and link up your blog post of lovely things. Your post will automatically be linked to the other 5 hostesses blogs! Along with linking up your blog post, there will also be a link up for your Pinterest account! Just think of the endless inspiration!!!

So save the date, spread the word and I hope to see you all there!!

Now on to some more lovely things...

If you could take a second and head on over here, to vote for Imprintalish, that would be so greatly appreciated!! I would be tickled pink to get into the top 25 :)

I've been thinking about the days when calling in sick and lounging around in bed all day were attainable, and not way out of arms reach...I'm not talking about lounging in bed with sick children crawling all over me either...

1Flickr 2//Food & Cook Blogs 3//Rainy Days and Blankets 4//The Rauber House

5//Pinterest 6//Blog Resipi

Are you a Pinner? Etsy stalker? Blog hopper? Photographer? Have cute kids? Loving life? Always looking for pretty things? I would love to see what your loving lately!

Grab a button and link up your pretty finds!

<a <span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">href</span></span>="http://www.<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">imprintalish</span></span>.<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">blogspot</span></span>.com" target="_blank"><<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">img</span></span> alt="Loves on a Thursday" <span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">src</span></span>="http://i1126.<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">photobucket</span></span>.com/albums/l607/Alicia_<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Hummel</span></span>-<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Kettlewell</span></span>/<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">lovethursdaybutton</span></span>.<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">jpg</span></span>"/></a>

PRIOR TO LINKING UP

Colleen and I would love for you follow us :) If you could provide a link back or display our button in your post, we would love that! And please credit the original source when using other's projects and photographs!

Southern Banana Coconut Cake

Yes, winter is here. And that means I bake. I eat. I get fat. I hate my body. I bake. I eat. I get fat. I hate my body. I bake...see where I'm going? Lol...ok! Although I have been doing a fabulous job at filling up with all the greens a person can eat, but I still have to have a little bit of sweets...

Enter this Banana Bread type of cake...there's banana's in it-see good for you! It has coconut in it. End of story. It's good.

INGREDIANTS

1/2 cup soft butter

2 eggs

1 cup mashed bananas

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups white sugar

2/3 cup sour milk {1 tsp lemon juice into reg milk}

1 3/4 flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

TOPPING INGREDIANTS

1/4 cup melted butter

1/2 cup chopped nuts {walnuts, almonds-whatever you have!}

1 cup coconut

Mix in order given. Pour into 8x11 greased pan.
Mix ingrediants for topping and spoon over the batter.
Bake at 325 degrees for approximately 40 mins, or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean.

Super Easy. Super Yummy!

Linking up with Blissful & Domestic, One Artsy Mama, Homemaker on a Dime, Alderberry Hill

Those kinds of friends...

The kind of friend that you only see once or twice a year, if your lucky. Oceans do that you know. And even on those rare occasions that your friend shows up at your backdoor on a whim, you sit and chat over a pot of tea, a stack of magazines, and kids playing horns and kazoos...you can still feel totally and utterly comfortable. Just hanging out. Those are the kinds of friends that don't come into your life very often. 

The ones that know you for you. The ones have seen you at your absolute worst and have also been there to help you celebrate the best...

The ones that you hope and wish with all your might that they get to have everything that they want out of life. That when they hurt, you hurt. That when they are happy, you are happy...

Friends, that can keep you smiling and laughing till 3 in the morning with talks about life, babies, marriage, family, clothes and everything else under the sun. 

Those kinds of friends...are the ones to keep close to your heart.

If you have a second, come vote for me for a chance to get into the Top 25 Creative Blogs...:)

SHOP NOW!