my lovely happiness project.

Hello lovelies,
  I am in desperate need of a pick me up & as of now, this book is my only savior! The winter blues have set up camp and I just can't seem to shake them. I need some spring in my life but since moving to the great COLD north I've realized it's going to take much longer for me to get to my happy place! The sun is finally shining which gives me some happy tingles but when you have to lay on the floor next to your sliding door to absorb the rays because outside is just to frigid, it doesn't exactly make you jump for joy!  

  So, I was introduced to this book by a random encounter on Instagram & I decided I'd give it a shot. I'm really not much for "self-improvement" books (they just can't keep my attention) but a close friend had read & said it was helpful so I thought, Hey, why not? so here goes nothing...

  I've read chapter one & my blood is pumping. My decluttering brain is in full force. I am set on getting my house exactly how I want it with no if's, ands, or, buts. "Do what ought to be done" is a quote from the book & it just keeps ringing in my ears every time I want to take a break. It's great to have the motivation just in time for Spring to be Sprung & all the visiting starts up again. 

  Other motivation is to exercise better which is something I have mastered so I just took that section as mentally used it as a confidence boost. I also learned tricks to get a better nights sleep which were very helpful. You don't even realize you're losing sleep when you are! 

  I am excited to continue this read and get myself back to my uppity, energetic, self! The winter blues is for the birds. Bring on the sunshine & blooms! keep in touch for more happiness updates.


Twelve Commandments that I must remind myself daily! 

 1. Be Carly.

 2. Let it go.

 3. Act the way I want to feel.

 4. Do it now.

 5. Be polite & be fair.

 6. Enjoy the process.

 7. Spend out. 

 8. Identify the problem. 

 9. Lighten up. 

 10. Do what ought to be done.

 11. No calculation. 

 12. There is only love. 

StayLovely.

greek yogurt dipped strawberries.

Do you need an easy, sweet snack to get you through your sugar cravings?  Believe me, I sure do! & I have the perfect solution. These are so simple to make, I even let my 3 year old lend a helping hand! All you need are 3 ingredients & your freezer. My husband was on grocery duty when I made this snacks so naturally he came home with one wrong ingredient but it turned out just as well. I suggest using greek yogurt instead of organic because of the thicker consistency. Although, adding a little vanilla or honey to the yogurt will give a better taste!

Michigan has some of the biggest, sweetest strawberries I've ever had & my, am I happy about that because I am known to devour an entire pack at a time.

Puncture the little strawberry with a toothpick & spin it around in the yogurt. Do a double dip to get a even layer around the strawberry.

aren't they pretty?

Place them on wax paper before freezing.

I put them in the freezer overnight. Although, I'm sure an hour or 2 will do the trick! 

These are best served after sitting out for a few minutes to thaw. 

Enjoy your healthy & delicious sweet snack! 

StayLovely.

peanut butter banana smoothie.

Have any left over bananas that the kiddies just didn't get to eating this week? Well, you are IN LUCK!   Leftover banana day is my favorite day of the week (along with clean sheet night). This means I'm able to make my favorite breakfast, snack, lunch,  dessert & even sometimes dinner! As you can see, I LOVE my peanut butter banana smoothie. 

bleck. there is NO way my kids will eat the bananas once they get to this point & personally, I do not blame them but man, do they make amazing smoothies. 

A friend of mine has been making her own greek yogurt at home & she was kind enough to bring some over for me as a little gift! This makes for a perfect amount for my delish smoothie. 

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

2 bananas

 5 oz your yogurt of choice ( i prefer greek)

 1/2 cup milk

 1/2 cup peanut butter 

ice cubes

mix it all up in your blender!

This usually makes 1 1/2-2 smoothies depending on how big your cup size is. I like to change up my peanut butter to banana ratio based on my mood that particular day! I've also added different fruits to this mixture just to spice it up but I personally prefer it with just the banana/peanut butter combo.

This smoothie is perfect for before workouts! Gets a little something in the belly but doesn't sit too heavy & obviously has lots of calcium, potassium, & protein. I hope everyone enjoys this little treat as much as I do.

Stay Lovely.

not so lovely sickness.

My angel is sick.. AGAIN!  & I am NOT okay with it. This is the first time he's been sick where I actually cried. His miserably sick eyes, sad red face, & 103° degree skin made me so entirely distraught I couldn't help shed a few dropping tears onto his tiny face. He looked up at me & actually wiped my tear with his cute little pointer finger (which in turn made me cry even more). Since then, the fever has lowered & his smile has returned so my heart is healing.

This child is not an ordinary child (which I know every mother says) but I truly believe he is part angel. His sweet disposition & warm smile touches your heart so deeply & it's not just me. People stop me to tell me how sweet his smile, his voice, his laugh, & lastly, his heart is. I am truly blessed to have this beautiful child.

Declan - (DECKlin) of Irish origin,  meaning full of goodness. 


StayLovely.

weddings.

This is the year of the weddings for me! Being asked to participate in a wedding is not a question I take lightly. I am an overachiever, if you will, for anything crafty & anything wedding. Throughout the years, I have made way to many signs, cupcakes, & centerpieces and it looks as though the trend is continuing. This March, I am the Matron of Honor in my brother in law & future sister in law's nuptials! I could not be more excited or full of ideas. The bachelorette party is all in my hands & I'm more than halfway finished with the decor which means I'm a month early. wooooooo! 

On New Years Eve, I will be in my second wedding. I will be a bridesmaid in my soulmate, Katie's, wedding & my will it be a grand affair. In my eyes, this wedding is going to be every girls dream come true. All the colors & decor Katie has begun to pick out is just breathtaking! & i wouldn't expect anything less from this classy & stylish chick! I can't wait to see how it all comes together.

 I am happy to say that I was with both of these lovelies when they picked out their gowns! I'd like to think that I'm the good luck charm :) I can't wait to see how glamourous these beauties look & to be able to be apart of it by styling both of them is a dream come true! Let the projects continue...

Stay Lovely.

cupcakes.

This is my constant battle but I am extremely strong willed. Now, do I salivate over anything sweet, fluffy, & delicious. Yes, Duh! I'm a girl. However, I don't often give into my cravings & I think it's time that should stop. I eat very healthy. I'm very lucky to say that it's habitual, a habit instilled by very healthy parents. I work out, often, and hard. Therefore, next time i'm going to eat the damn cupcake, & ice cream, & cheesecake & anything yummy instead of neglecting things I love. I deserve a reward for my hard work. 

I've lost 25 lbs over the past 4 months by eating right & running. (you can also add some homesickness to that list)  Now that's something to be proud of. I've worked very hard to get where I am & I feel good. My clothes don't fit anymore which can only mean I need a new wardrobe (ain't nothing wrong with that). I also feel much more ambitious towards other goals besides exercise & eating right. I'm working to find some other extra curriculars to keep my mind & body busy! 


Stay Lovely.

snow day.

Today, We enjoyed mounds & mounds of snow! 12 inches to be exact. Moving up here from Cincinnati was a huge adjustment & I was terrified that the snow would keep me home bound because I am by far the worst snow driver on planet earth. Luckily, Michigan is very flat unlike our old home where anywhere you went you were forced to go up or down hill. Now the only hill we have to face is the small one in our backyard that Jude had a blast sledding down!

We had so much fun throwing around the snow & being completely freezing in the 14° in kalamazoo! This was Declan's first time in the snow & he was very unsure about what was going on but he seemed to enjoy watching his brother having fun in it! 

Both boys weren't as crazy about the snow getting on their skin so that resulted in these beautiful cry faces! I think they get them from their Momma. I'm definitely one for the dramatics ;)

Hope everyone is staying nice & warm!

StayLovely.