Embrace Simplicity: Independence Week

Independence Week..

Filled with family time, sun kissed skin, friends, paintbrushes, good wine, and full bellies.

I started this past week off with a new painting for Abram's room.

A VanGogh remake-- It's not "VanGogh" But it's cute and perfect for Abe.

My awesome friend, Christy Cass, posted a photo this past week using a photo app that I HAD to have.. Love it.. Also- check out her blog. TalaHairLife -- Filled of mommy posts, hair love, and amazing decor inspiration!

My Dahlias on my front porch. Text is from the #Studio photo-app.

Love Always. My boy and I..

Lord, Please let me remember these moments .. forever.

I just love this photo. And his open mouth kisses are the best.

Speaking of Christy again… She is my go to for anything and everything HAIR.

My Before & After..

Foils and a few inches off.. I feel like a new woman! She is amazing and has been doing my hair for about 8 years now.. Highly recommend her to all of my friends.. Her studio is in her home- Beautiful. Thank you TALA HAIR!

A little GIGGLE for all of you.

I love every sound and move this child makes.

So.. as many of you know, I am an artist | bartender at a local art studio.. Canvas & Chardonnay (link) . If you have not checked it out yet-- You MUST!

How it works;

Visit the link Above^ .. Check out the calendar. Pick a painting you're interested in learning to paint. Sign up/ Register. Get together your close friends, work friends, family, or a date and come PAINT!

We have an awesome staff. So fun-loving, creative, and welcoming.. you're sure to have a blast, and be back again!

This past week I met two of my sweet girl friends at C&C to paint this beauty.. "Blissful Blooms", Taught by Katie… she is so great.

Our BLANK canvases.. Ready to be smothered in paint!

CiCi, Myself, and Keiyah.. Yep Katie photo bombed!

Our "Mid-Painting" Photo.

And our finished master pieces!! One of my favorite parts of working at Canvas and Chardonnay is seeing how different everyone's paintings look at the end of the night! How incredible! Blessed to have great friends that share my passion for art, and to have such an amazing job that allows me to do what I love! Thank you God.

Ben (the hub) usually works M-Th evening shifts.. But with Friday being Independence day, He had Thursday off! The weather was BEAUTIFUL all week.. so we decided to head to Soldier's Field Pool for the day. What a blast! It was a bit chilly at first, but no tears from the little guy.. Splashes, leg kicks, and giggles. JOY.

I love watching them together. Ben is a good man. But becoming a dad has made him so much more than a good man. Loving, compassionate, tender, affectionate, and confident. I love these boys to infinity.

On a fashion note.. I finally found a swim top that fits.. Can I ask, why no where sells tops that are (big bust) friendly? And when I do, the cups fit and the back is not adjustable so it is loose and, ah! Needless to say, yes I am doing a little bit of complaining but Finally.. It may be animal print but, Thanks TarJay!

I guess I didn't realize this blog post was going to be a novel.. but it is! :)

Abe's friend Amelia moved in two doors down this Independence week!! He loves her.. sometimes too much. She cries when he touches her.. They will appreciate these photos someday. I know they will.

Oh Abe now has another new friend! We met Norah on the 3rd! She is beautiful. I've never seen eyes quite like hers! She is a few months younger than Abe and they loved each other.. Bites, pinches, hitting and all! LOVE.