the MRS. & the MOMMA

BEST OF Friday Style Link Up #14

Hey friends! Happy Friday to y'all!!! I want to give a big thank you to all of you who link up each week for the BEST OF. I truly enjoy "meeting" new bloggers and getting inspired by your style posts.

So let's just cut right to it, shall we? In honor of the Taylor Swift RED concert we attended on Tuesday, I thought this week's BEST OF theme should spotlight the color RED! I've always been a fan of wearing red...I think it looks good on almost everyone and tends to put a little pep in my step. What a vibrant color to take us into summer, huh?

(Move over pastels!)

This week's BEST OF picks feature some lovely ladies dressing the color up, down, and just letting the hue speak for itself.

clockwise from top right: Jessie of Style & Pepper, Jessica of Jeans & A Teacup, Dani of The Daily Dani, Anna of Fash Boulevard, Lindsey of The Pleated Poppy

Check out these RED pieces to add to your summer wardrobe:

Now it's time for the BEST OF Friday Style Link Up!!!! Here are the rules:

1. Link up ANY and ALL style-related posts....these can be curated fashion posts, outfit posts, etc. (They do NOT have to be in line with the BEST OF theme of the week.)

2. Please be a follower of The Mrs. & The Momma..

3. Grab a button or link to my blog somewhere in your post.

4. Link up your post with your blog name, not your post title.

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5 Tips For Taking Kids to Concerts

Tuesday night was Taylor's (first name basis) concert. We rode up there together with my SIL and niece, but had seats in different sections....the sections being approximately a football field away from the stage. Seriously, I could hardly see her. Thank goodness for those big screens.

Ed Sheeran was really good as her opener. I didn't know too much about him prior, but a ginger guy with an accent playing the heck out a guitar is always good in my book. My girls were pretty board with him, though. Psh, kids.

Taylor was so gracious to pose for pictures with us a mere 30 minutes before her show...how cool is she??? (wink, wink)

It was an experience I hope my two oldest daughters never forget. It was their first concert EVER. And Taylor Swift puts on a memorable show for sure. I did learn a few lessons, though, if we ever do this again with kids:
1. Stash more snacks in the hidden confines of my purse: My girls were so hungry and I had run out of cash after a $4 bag of Skittles and a $4 bottle of water....and that was even after eating the two bars I had packed for them.
2. As a parent, be prepared to possibly not actually "watch" most of the show: I didn't realize that most people stand the whole time at a Taylor Swift concert, therefore, I was continuously maneuvering my girls around so that they could see. There was an old lady sitting behind me, so I didn't want to stand in case I would be blocking her view. Basically, this was all for my girls, so I didn't mind not seeing a whole lot.
3. Break down and get your kid a lighty-up, blinking thing-a-ma-jig: Just trust me on this one...it will save your ears.
4. If you have to dress comfortably at the expense of dressing how you really want to, just go with it: We did this, which paid off in all the walking that was required to and from the venue. Besides, I always like to be dressed down a bit when it comes to my kids...maybe it's just my lazyness.
5. Have snacks for your kids in the car post-concert: Thankfully, we had some leftover pizza rolls from dinner, but otherwise, we would have been famished with nothing to eat but our arms. Traffic is usually bad leaving a big event like this, so food is always best to have on hand with tired, hungry, and probably impatient kids.
Do you have any "pointers" when taking kids to concerts? Please share!!!

Getting On My Soapbox Via An Open Letter to My Mouth Sore

Hey Wednesday. Nice to see you. I'm a bit disoriented this morning and don't quite know what to blog about. Do I write about our family's experience at field day last week....or lament over my end to breastfeeding...or describe how exciting the Taylor Swift concert was? The latter would probably be most interesting, but I'll save that for another day...but here's a little teaser of last night:

{before Taylor came on}

No. I don't have the energy or brain power this morning. We got home around mid-night, with a bedtime around 1am after I filled in my husband on all the details. I told my girls they didn't have to go to school today and to sleep at late as they could.
Well, thankfully they're still sleeping, but Little Miss Three Year Old has an early call-time, so no sleeping-in for this Momma. Hence the disorientation. I couldn't figure out why Curious George wasn't on T.V. Surely it was already 8am, right? The sun was fully up for heavens sake. Nope.
Only 6:30am. Joy.
So the only thing I feel my fingers can type this morning falls in line with Jenni's blog everyday in May challenge....getting on my soapbox about something.
Canker Sores.
This really isn't a moral or political issue on which I can stomp my foot and make my compelling stance....but it's something I can get heated about. And tell of my off my mouth for that matter.
You see, I get canker sores horribly. If I get any laceration in my mouth (i.e. biting my cheek), it will turn into a full-fledged ulcer. And I'm not talking about those little ones that go away in a few days. These are monstrosities of sores that last for at least two weeks. Two weeks of torture. I'm not even exaggerating...I have scars in my mouth from them.
I can rant so freshly about this because I'm currently in the middle of one. Actually two sores that grew into one. But it's kind of like childbirth....I don't remember just how bad it is when I don't have one. So I'm taking advantage of the passionate disdain I have for these suckers and letting them have it!

Dear Canker Sores:
You suck. I don't know why you never visited when I was pregnant, but it makes me think you take advantage of either my hormones or immune system. Either way, that's playing dirty.
You make my life miserable. I can't eat, speak properly, smile, exercise, or be a nice human to my family. Not only do you take advantage of any little accidental bite that happens in my mouth, you run with it. Again...playing dirty.
I got to hand it to you though, you're quite relentless not allowing anything get in the way of your goal. You seem to withstand any and everything I throw at you: Saltwater, Hydrogen Peroxide, medicated swabs, changing my toothpaste, Kanka, medicated patches, vitamin E oil, tea tree oil, Lysine, and the list could go on. I've even had you cauterized to no avail. Really, do you have an Achilles Heel?!?!?
I want you out of my life forever. Ever. Ever. What do I have to do to make that a reality? Seriously, I'll write the check right now...name your price. Just don't come back in my life again. You'd better not. And you can take that as a threat. A promise. A promise to what, I don't know....but something really awful just like you. You get me, Canker Sore?
Seriously not kidding, The Mrs. & The Momma
p.s. Because I realize how negative all the above sounds and because I truly am just an optimist with mouth sores, I guess I could find some silver lining to you, Cank. 1.) You make my face and lips swell up that one of my friends thought I got lip injections...on second thought, I don't think that was a compliment, but I'll take it. 2.) As my husband equated it to "The Devil Wears Prada"...I'm just one canker sore away from my goal weight. (No, that's not an invitation to visit again.) I guess maybe I've dropped a couple of pounds...but it's not a price I'm willing to pay again. But I'll take it as some satisfaction in my pants fitting more comfortably.

In related news, if you have any suggestions, tips, medical advice, want to get on your own soapbox, or can commiserate with me....feel free to leave them in the comments below. I'm desperate. Send help and vicodin.

Breaking Out the Shorts + A Blogger Giveaway

shirt: CAbi, shorts (exact) and purse (similar): Target, wedges (similar): Bucco via c/o Zulily, earrings (similar): Kendra Scott, bracelets: Michael Kors, Stella & Dot, Lemon & Line, Necklace (exact): The Vintage Pearl

I've got a little treat for you today. Mandi from All My Happy Endings is giving away a guest post spot on her blog to one lucky blogger. It has been my experience that guest posting is more effective than giveaways or sidebar ads when it comes to gaining exposure and growing your blog. Mandi has a wonderfully inspirational and touching past through which she provides a refreshing perspective on life. Not only is she drop-dead gorgeous, she's a fellow Texan! Holla!
I'm also giving away a "Mother of All" in-post ad space as part of the giveaway!
Good luck friends!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Classic Combo: Stripes & Leopard

This weekend was somewhat of a whirlwind. Friday was my older two girls' Field Day followed by lunch and shopping with friends, Saturday was lots of cleaning and throwing my in-laws a 40th Anniversary Party, and Sunday was filled with church, and a special ceremony for a graduating senior who's close to me.
Whew.
This week won't give me much down time before my trip next weekend (Oh yeah...did I mention I'm going to Washington D.C. with my momma?)....
But that's alright. I'll just roll with it and pretend I know what's going on. May is nuts around here. Where are you, June?
On my shopping trip with friends the other day, we went down to the outlets in San Marcos. Even though I was partly raised in San Marcos and have lived just 30 minutes away from the outlet for years, I rarely frequent the stores. I guess I'm just a little jaded in terms of what you actually find there....as well as the crowds. No, thank you.

But, this day was a little different. Not only did I find an amazing trench at Banana Republic outlet for 40% off (crossing my finders it will be cool enough to wear in D.C. so I don't have to wait until the fall), but I also scored some ridiculous finds at Old Navy, which actually isn't an outlet store there. I got the above striped skirt for something around $5!!!! In all, a maxi dress, two tops, a skirt and a workout top found their way into my bag at a whopping $26! I'd say that was a successful shopping trip...and definitely stop in your local O.N. to see if they have similar steals!
***Coming up this week is a giveaway, a Taylor Swift recap (it's tomorrow night!!!), and some Memorial Day ideas.
Do you have any plans for Memorial Day?
Shop my look:

BEST OF Friday Style Link Up #13

Unless you've been living under a rock, you'll have noticed that yellow is everywhere right now! I think it's safe to say that yellow is the all-around "it" color, as it's prevalent in denim, tops, shoes, bags, nails, jewelry, and in various shades too! I love how yellow can even be worn as a neutral...especially the neon!

This week's BEST OF centers around yellow bags. Earlier this week, I saw this one that made me 'mental note' myself to get my hands on a yellow bag asap. Somehow, I've been totally out of the loop on this summer staple...or maybe white denim has been cosuming my fashion thoughts.

Either way, now I know. And so do you...just in case you weren't in the loop either.

I just adore all of these BEST OF Yellow Bag styles....It was so much fun chosing this week's picks!

Hello Fashion//Love & Loyally//Mia Maree//The Shoestring Contessa//Bedazzles After Dark

Check out these yellow friends to add to your handbag arsenal:

********************************** This week, I have a co-host for the BEST OF Friday Style Link Up...Katelin of My Wardrobe Staples. Here are the rules:

1. Link up ANY and ALL style-related posts....these can be curated fashion posts, outfit posts, etc. They do NOT have to be in line with the BEST OF theme of the week.

2. Please be a follower of The Mrs. & The Momma and My Wardrobe Staples.

3. Grab a button or link to my blog somewhere in your post.

4. Link up your post with your blog name, not your post title.

"Perfect" is a 4 Letter Word

Lately, I've given some thought to the high demands placed on us as women these days. In fact, it's often a subject of conversation with my close friends. Specifically in motherhood, but in other areas of life as well...the absolute drive for a "perfect" life is not new, but is acutely more present through social media and constant personal comparison thrown in our faces. There are such high expectations to be a thin, philanthropic, multi-tasking, witty, have-it-all-together type of wonder woman.

Some call it motivation. Others call it perfectionism.

I call it unrealistic.

Mandi of All My Happy Endings recently wrote a piece about her views on perfectionism. I thought I'd share an excerpt from it that I find profound and help give a little perspective.

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Perfect is a fallacy. There isn’t such a thing. And when we hold on to that idea of “perfect” we hold on to something that isn’t real. There is something in this culture that expects, sometimes demands, perfectionism.

We might even look at other bloggers and envy their eye for style, mothering tactics, sparkling floors and countertops, ease of conversation, or body type.

Personally, I tend to be a perfectionist-people-pleasing-martyr that appears on the surface as a confident-I-know-what-I’m-doing good mother. And really, I am all kinds of things at once, waffling and hovering and in flux and in-between. Today, I’m calmer, more at ease, for reasons I don’t understand. Yesterday, I was in panic, ornery and scared.

We somehow twist our Christian lives around it even though Jesus doesn’t expect perfection from us. Rather, He came to help us in our imperfection.

Let’s admit to our humanity, friend. Let’s chose to let the bad days and bad moods and exhaustion simply pass…because they do. And remind yourself of this each and every day. In it, you will revel in His daily grace.

I do not let who I was yesterday define me. In fact, today is possibly brighter because of letting go. Surrender is a beautiful thing.

-Mandi Roach

There is certainly nothing wrong with striving for excellence, but let's cut ourselves a little slack here and there, shall we? Doing so will surely allow more love, compassion, selflessness, and Dairy Queen Blizzards into our lives.

And most probably less worry wrinkles and more laugh lines.