Pink skinny's: American Eagle, Shirt: TJ Maxx, Booties: Target, necklace: jessicaNdesigns.

I will be real honest here: I rarely get dressed out of my sweats. Why? I work from home. Enough said right? It is actually sad how many days consist of the same sweats & a messy bun.  I keep vowing that I will actually get dressed and fix my hair more if for nothing else than to feel better about myself and possibly remind the hubby why he used to think I was hot! ;) 

Skinny Jeans: Jessica Simpson, Tribal Sweater: Forever 21

But when Erin of Living in Yellow started her IG series #liylookoftheday it gave me the extra shove I needed to start getting dressed!  Do I get all dolled up every day? No. But it's a huge improvement from before! And I am having so much fun linking up on Instagram! Plus, I feel 100% better about my self. It is amazing what putting on something other than sweats, fixing your hair & adding a little make up can do for you!

In case you missed my extreme excitement (that word doesn't really cut it) on Instagram last week, Lauren Conrad (my girl crush since Laguna Beach) featured the spoon I made for her on her Instagram AND her blog!

It was seriously such an amazing thing. I can't express how humbled, blessed & grateful I am.  So thank you Lauren. And thank you to all of you...you make my dreams come to life on the daily!

Happy Weekend Friends! 

Explore my town Instagram series.

Beautiful old buildings in my town. ( @jessicandesigns )

It's a dream of mine to travel the world. God created such an amazing world that it would be a shame not to see as much of it as possible.  I envision Brooks and I going so many places as we get older, sitting together, sipping coffee & picking out places we want to explore. I would trade so many other things (like a big fancy house) to be able to travel the world.

I guess that explains my fascination of where other people live. I love browsing Instagram and seeing so many interesting places. I envision myself strolling down those streets, sipping coffee in those little coffee shops, sitting by the water on those beaches.

All of this led me to start the #exploremytown series on Instagram.  I would love to have you come play along.

Simply follow me and start posting pictures of your town (what you love about it, your favorite spots to go, beautiful landmarks, favorite places to eat, whatever you want) & tag them with #exploremytown.  I am so excited to see glimpses of where you're from & to feature some of your posts periodically!

I can't wait to explore your town! 

Instagram Inspirations.

I am inspired daily by the amazingly talented people in my instagram feed. Instagram feels like the most genuine form of social media & is by far my favorite! I feel like inspiration should be spread around so I started my Instagram Inspirations series to share the people who inspire me on the daily.

Heather of @Justlove_ly - Heather is one of the first handmade biz owners & bloggers I came across when I first started.  She continues to be a HUGE inspiration to me. Her feed is so cozy & warm. When I browse her feed I feel like I live in a cabin in the woods where I wear cozy sweaters and read by the fire all day. And I love that.

Shayna of @alittlesojourn - Such pretty, vibrant pictures. Again a very outdoorsy feel to this feed. Maybe it is a theme in my life right now: I need more outdoor fun in my life. I have been dreaming of a cabin in the woods winter getaway for years now. Just me, the hubby, some friends and a fireplace. Fun nights by the fire drinking wine and having great conversation.

Jessie of @sweetthingblog - Beautiful pictures. Gives me a big city culture fix. Since I live in such a small, country town, it is so fun to see her life in Los Angeles.

Any Instagram feeds you suggest following?

Instagram Inspirations.

Instagram is by far my favorite form of social media.  If facebook and twitter disappeared I would be just fine with only having instagram.  It feels so much more authentic & I am inspired daily by the people in my feed. I don't really know them, but I feel like I do. I am starting this Instagram Inspirations series to share some of those inspiring people with you! 

Instagram Inspiration: @leslieshewring. One of my favorite blogs, A Creative Mint, in daily IG snippets. I can't devour this eye candy fast enough.

 Instagram inspiration: @Upthewoodenhills. I want to live in her pictures. The simplicity is comforting + reminds me of the vintage farm house I have always wanted.

Instagram Inspiration: @elianagolomb. I want to jump into every single one of her pictures and stay for the day.  Her feed makes me yearn to travel the world.

What instagram feeds inspire you? 

Life Lately: According to my iPad.

Follow me on Instagram: @jessicaNdesigns

I can't believe it is the middle of May! So much is going on right now! I launched a new line of stacking rings, school is wrapping up, my daughter is turning 7 this month, we are planning a couple weekend trips, we are throwing a 10 year anniversary bash (I can't believe we have been married almost 10 years!) & I am working on some new jewelry pieces. Whew! Lots to do! 

At busy times in life like these I am reminded of how fast life goes by. That soon my babies will be big, soon there will be no more snuggles on the couch, no more binkies, no more sweet little baby feet running down the hallway.  And it makes me sad.  I am constantly reminded and inspired by Casey to soak it all in. 

Life changes. Life goes on. It is sad & it is happy. 

But I have been reminding myself lately when my life gets hard, when my life gets stressful, when I am overwhelmed and want to scream and run away, that this is my life & it is flying by. I need to stop and live in the moment. Stop and enjoy my life & my babies. Stop and actually LIVE my life.  

My heart is so full right now. I want to remember this time in my life forever. I want to lock these feelings in my heart forever. I want to hold my babies tight and never let go...

Linking up at Life Rearranged & The Wiegands.

Life Lately: InstaFriday.

Oh how I love Target! Can we please get one closer to where I live?! 50 minutes is a little too far to get my needed Target fixes...This dress & these shoes are so cute!!

I don't know why my iPad takes such crappy pics...but I am loving me little nook of happiness! 

Having fun making 'verse of the day' art for my instagram feed! 

I recently turned old shutters into a headboard & created a happy display in our bedroom!

I LOVED playing dress up for Oh Sweet Joy's styling contest! This may be a favorite spring outfit! 

A daily reminder I need! 

Got myself a cute polka dot mug for $1.49 (Target) and could not leave without Breaking Dawn part 2. 50 minutes of bonus content...HOLLA! 

This towel makes me snicker! 

Every day I'm Hustling! 

Come follow along on Instagram! 

Happy Friday Everyone! 

Bits of Life - InstaFriday.

Lucy with her cousin Sophie..cuteness overload!

A Little DIY time the other day, made another fabric hoop for Lucy's room & some fringe fabric banners! 

 DIY result...starting the spring mantle.

 Some days they just melt my heart...other days they claw each other's eyes out...

Coffee spoons available here...picture via @curiousgeorgi on Instagram

The best little (free) words of encouragement printables over at French Press Mornings.

Sprinkle pancake days once a week! 

Lots of fort building lately! 

Sisters!

My baby is in a big girl bed! Sniff Sniff...

My grandma's old sheet is serving as sunny curtains! love it!

Join me on Instagram: @jessicaNdesigns

 HAPPY WEEKEND FRIENDS! 

Life Lately: InstaFriday

This is Lucy's famous face & I love it! 

I turned 31 (eeekkkk I can't believe it as I type it) & had the best Birthday Celebrations!

First my BFF & I met up at Roscoe Village and ate lunch (and drank wine) at this adorable place called Uncorked.  We spend hours catching up & laughing like crazy! It went too fast!

Then me & the hubs enjoyed the best overnight stay in Pittsburgh which included a much anticipated trip to my favorite place: Ikea! 

We got some new things for the house, including these stools which I love & the kids fight over.

I also got this AWESOME work table & the long coveted teal kitchen cart for my studio! In love! 

We put it together as a family & Lucy even used the hammer! Bonus: no one hammered their fingers!

Then my hubby's whole family made the trip to Columbus to visit his sister...we piled 4 adults and 5 kids in one hotel room! The perfect weekend! 

I shared what has been on my heart.

People! Oh my gosh! These little mini meatloaves wrapped in bacon were SO GOOD. But isn't anything wrapped in bacon good?!

Oh, and when I actually get dressed (out of my daily sweats) it must be documented...you have been warned! ;)

Outfit details:
L: shirt- Forever21, green polka dot pants- Old Navy, boots- gift, Jewelry- jessicaNdesigns.
R: Polka dot dress- Old Navy, Leggings- Forever 21.

Come follow along on Instagram: @jessicaNdesigns

Happy Happy Weekend Friends!