happ{y}ness

Source: quote-book.tumblr.com via Mary on Pinterest

as i've thought a lot about this last year and think about what 2013 will bring, i have been trying to decide what i need to focus on most this year. looking over how crazy, fun, yet stressful 2012 was, i realized that it took me having to look back at the memories to remember how worthwhile the events were instead of actually enjoying the happiness in that moment.

i know i can be one to maybe exaggerate or glamorize things when i look back on them {as Adam likes to point out once and a while ;)} but sometimes going through tough experiences it can be hard for me to think of the positives, to remember that this one bad day doesn't dictate my overall, true happiness.

Source: imgfave.com via Marcy on Pinterest

so, this year i'm focusing on {HAPPY}

i want to make happiness a habit.
i want others who are around me to feel uplifted.
i want my husband to be happy because he sees & feels my own happiness.
i want my son to grow up knowing that his mom is happy, teaching him happiness in return.
i want my relationships with my husband, son, family, & friends to strengthen because i'm focusing more on being happy than on being negative.

2013 is the year of:
happy mama 
happy wife 
happy friend 
happy life.

my love affair with ModestPop

i have a new favorite online clothing store. 

it has super cute {modest} clothes at very reasonable prices, 

which can honestly be really hard to find! 

[DownEast and Shade are great places but kind of over budget most of the time] 

this wonderful, diamond in the rough, store is called ModestPop.com! 

they came to fill the void of affordable, modest clothing possibilities and have completely won me over. 

and not only are clothes from ModestPop affordable & cute, but they are also really great quality. 

i was so impressed with how well made my items were. 

skirt & shirt: ModestPop [here & here-on sale now!] // belt: thrifted // necklace: Sebastian Design

i am definitely a believer in ModestPop. 

i love my skirt and shirt so much and literally wear my skirt at least twice a week if not more. 

i will forever be a loyal customer!

if you are looking for some cute clothes & accessories to spend your Christmas money on, this is the place to go! 

ModestPop.com provided me with the clothes to review but all thoughts & opinions are my own. i really do love their clothes and already have my eye set on some new items! :)

so, this is what's it's like to have a front yard

one of the best things about going home when you live in a small apartment is taking advantage of all the space, inside & out! 

Elijah loved being able to play outside and we loved that he was able to actually go outside in a safe, confined space. one day, while everyone else was gone, we decided it would be fun to "play house" and pretend like we actually belong in a real-life neighborhood. so we rode scooters & bikes, played street hockey, and walked around the cul-de-sac while daydreaming about our own future home 

{which won't happen for a looooong time :)}.

basically, it was everything i ever hoped to do one day with my little family. 

and even though it was just one afternoon, it made me so excited for a future away from student life.