Tiny Prints Inspiration for a Little Boy Room

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Recently I was contacted by Tiny Prints to create an inspiration board using one (or in my case two) of their designs as a spring board of creativity for Brecken's room makeover. The quintessential rustic vibe that is now making a comeback is so fresh and inviting (and manly I might add) and seems so natural for my little boy. And maybe I'm a bit biased because I live in Montana and all-thing-rustic are run of the mill around here, but the thought of little boys huddled under a tent scheming about secret adventures while playing wildly with little bows and colorful arrows may hands down be the cutest site ever. 

And at the root of it all I'm a wife to an outdoorsman and a Momma to a boy obsessed with a slingshot so a room with a father's touch and a young boys obsession only seemed fitting for the men of my house, wouldn't you agree?

Now if only I could get John that excited about a space just for me and my over flowing ideas. A girl can wish...

Instagram + Three Things+Winna Winna

So I started the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred about two weeks ago and my arms are still like jell-o. And I mean jell-ooo. Even typing requires effort, and doing dishes, and laundry, and the million other things that Moms use their arms for every single day. And my abs, oh my gosh, don't make me laugh because I may simultaneously cry and pee (which would be horrifying if it hasn't already happened like 10 times...but who's counting).

Yeah, so that's the skinny (no pun intended).

Now for the three things. Let me preface this with saying that I am usually just a Facebook stalker. I don't hash out my life's drama through a keyboard, and I rarely comment on posts, but I like to stalk and occasionally read some of the fun links that get posted by friends. And lucky for you two of them were really cool.

one// This article discusses how our language (as in a global sense) influences everything from our spending to saving habits as well as how we perceive our world. TOTALLY worth the read. promise.

two// This article entitled 12 Steps to Gentle Parenting was so what I needed this week. Especially the section of turning your "no's" into "yes's." I can't believe how many times a day I say "no" to Brecken, it's astounding to say the least. Six months ago or so I started to try a more "re-directive method" that required suggesting other options to bad behaviors versus just saying "no" and it was hard (especially for me). I mean really, really hard, saying "no" is just so easy (and lazy) than the alternative of trying to train my children to other behavioral patterns. 

It was hard to do and I slacked off overtime. So this was the kick in the rear I needed to start being a more positive influence (again). Funny game we play as parents of finding the right balance between teaching and loving while also disciplining with a tender hard. oi'.

three//Okay, I'm sure you've all seen the video of the guy waking up for anesthesia and he totally hits on a lady not aware that she's actually his wife. I mean, come on. Priceless.

And we have a Jamberry winner, congrats #6 Nichole Green. You're one lucky lady. Email at spunkyjunkyblog at gmail.com for the deets. 

Thanks everyone for playing along and even though you may not have won remember you can still purchase three sheets of Jamberry nails and get the fourth free! Enjoy. 

Labor Day

Growing up the first week of September meant the beginning of the end of rodeo season, the wearing of black hats, greasy burgers, and miles on the road. This year I packed this kids into the car and took them home to watch my Dad participate in a local ranch rodeo. I haven't rodeod in years, but it's still like second nature to me. You know what I mean? Maybe not about rodeoing, but having a passion that's so strong that no matter how far you are removed from it you could easily pick it up again as if you never stopped.   And ironically, even though we live in a small ranching community the opportunity for the kids to ride horses is somewhat limited and at times it makes me sad knowing that some of my most cherished experiences may never be experienced by my own babes.

Anyway, John's parents also believe in the literal meaning of being laborious on Labor Day. We (not me, I was chasing kids) spent the better part of a night picking apples from their orchard, dividing the good from the bad, cutting out worm holes, and pressing to making juice. Have you ever made homemade apple juice before? Really, the experience was less about making juice and more about the time we got to spend as family. I feel so blessed to have been born in and married to such amazing families. I mean I really scored in that department. Like won the lottery kind of lucky.

Anyway (again, geeze). So we're not much of the organic eaters. I mean, I'll buy some organic things, but I'm not one of those fanatics (yes, I call them that) that have organic eggs, milk, cheese, cereal, soap, cheese, crackers...underwear (or not). I still feed my kids Kraft Mac n' Cheese and I occasionally pop through McDonald's when I'm in a rush. But I'm a huge fun of locally-grown especially when we've labored to help grow such foods. Being able to then drink apple juice that we had picked and pressed was such a fun lesson to teach Brecken about living off the land. 

And even though my these little babes of mine may not have the same experiences as me I am so thankful that I get to raise them in a place where family comes first and where a love of the land is a way of life.

Come to Montana, you'll see.

And don't forget to enter the Jamberry giveaway!

Jamberry Giveaway

Today I have an extra fun giveaway from Jamberry. Have you heard? They're the newest trend in salon-style nails. Yes, nails! They're a self-adhesive application sticker (on crack) that come without the hassle of booking an appointment or the salon price tag of $50. Each sheet is completely non-toxic, USA made, offering over 300 designs, and at least four different applications with the ability to last two-to-four weeks.

Honestly, I've been so impressed with their quality. This week alone, I've been playing in the dirt, riding horses, painting, sanding a metal locker (the locker from the dump, remember?), and not to mention the day-to-day tasks of dishes, kids, and gobs of laundry and I'm now on Day #8 and my nails still look great. 

 Awesome, eh?!

Earlier this week the Jamberry Fall 2013 Collection premiered and one lucky reader will get to pick out one free nail application from that collection to try for themselves. I mean, the tribal prints alone scream ahh-mazing! 

And to sweeten the pot, right now when you order three sheets of Jamberry nail applications you can get a fourth set for free!

Here's how to win:

*Follow Jamberry Nails-Anna Hone Independent Consultant on Facebook (one entry)

*Visit Jamberry Nails Fall 2013 Collection and leave a comment telling which design is your favorite (one entry)

*Order any set of Jamberry nails in the next week(three entries)

CLOSED.

The ridiculous act of picture taking

When we were little my Mom would make us pose at destinations around the country for our obligatory "I-was-here" picture. doo-zies, I tell ya!  Remind me to show you the one from Copper Mountain, Colorado, sometime, I instantaneously coined the phrase "big hair don't care" in that one. Anyway, my sweet Mom would call the day a success if she could get one of us to smile or at the very least be facing towards the camera.

Annnnd flash forward to our teen years, it was the same scenario but with a resonating I-hate-this-and-why-are-we-in-ridiculously-matching-outfits undertone attached to each family portrait.  Did I mention the pictures still wreak of teenage estrogen and tears of self-pity and loathing to this day? We were a sad and dramatic bunch of girls. My poor little brother had no choice other than to submit himself to years of a tortured existence with three older sisters... 

And then I had kids of my own and now I understand. Holy hell it's hard to photograph kids. And as luck would have it mine are no different than any other baby out there--hyped up on sugar and wired to run as soon as the camera comes out. #gofigure

The point is I end up taking hundred no looking/screaming/zombie gazed/picking the nose pictures for every gem in the rough. It has crossed my mind a few times to start a Tumbler feed dedicated to the awful pictures of my kids. Because lets be real, the awful ones sometimes are way better then the perfect pictures.

Gosh, thank goodness this sort of technology wasn't around twenty years ago or who knows what my parents would have posted...