Littlebit Ugly

Today is the day. I'm going to share with you my own little style secret. Nail-biter moment, I know.

I came up with this little theory after wasting hours of my life investing much time looking through magazines. My favorite is the local CVS Pharmacy. The magazine aisle is directly across from the toy aisle. Genius. The kids gawk and whine about what they want, and I tune them out while flipping through magazines. It's the key to good mothering. *wink wink*

I like the pics when they catch celebs (who you KNOW have been dressed by a stylist no matter how casual they may look) with outfits that make me go hmmm, woulda never put that together, but it looks pretty good.

My style theory and these, my favorite of all dolls, have something in common. They're both cute...and a littlebit ugly all at the same time. Don't deny it, you know it's true.

On with my point: So when I was shopping with friends the other night, I grabbed a shirt and said, "I like this...it's cute...and a littlebit ugly" ...that's how I choose.

Deep isn't it.

My style tip: Something in my outfit should border on the littlebit ugly side. You know, be a little weird, a little off...

Not too weird, now. Too weird puts you into the "what the heck?!?" category...a littlebit ugly gives you your own sense of style. Makes an otherwise boring outfit look interesting.

Be creative...but not too creative...and most important of all....put on some confidence with that littlebit ugly fine fashion accessory. :)

My sweater today: *sorry about the terrible picture* Cute and a littlebit ugly. I kid you not.

Oooh, and if you currently wear anything that's a littlebit ugly and you LOVE it because it works, please please do tell!

*cabbage patch courtesy of Google images*

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The Recap

I had an absolutely fabulous birthday! Maybe even better than this one:

I was four. I know this, because I counted the candles on this rockin' Holly Hobby cake (which matched the wallpaper in my bedroom)


And because of it's fabulousness I feel the need to walk you through my day yesterday...with an excessive amount of pictures...and details that will likely bore you to tears.

I woke up to my Ben's super sweet post for me...and was completely impressed with his use of bullet points...I'm thinking his sermons should just be in bullet points from now on ;) and ALL of your comments were just icing on the cake...and I love icing.

As I was heading out this friend dropped off the best card ever:

When you open it...HE TALKS. Michael says, "Presents, are the best way to show someone how much you care. It is like this tangible thing that you can point to and say Hey man, I love you this many dollars worth." HA! I'm surprised the card still works...I've listened to it 6,000 times. Bonus: inside was a giftcard to, of course, STARBUCKS.

And then my favorite neighbor gave me this:


which I'm currently eating for breakfast :)

When I got mail at the post office, there were bunches of Christmas cards (which are my favorite kind of mail ever) and another Starbucks card from my aunt!

There was snow expected...4-6 inches, but snow was not going to stop me taking the 30 minute drive to Target and Starbucks. I enjoyed a venti caramel machiato...one hour later I drove through a different Starbucks and enjoyed a salted caramel hot chocolate...because that is what birthdays are for.

In the mean time I stopped by my parents to pick up my birthday present. I've been waiting and WAITING for these. For years. You know, when there's something you really want but you know you're never gonna get it because no matter how good you are at justifying purchases there is NO WAY you'd ever be able to justify this certain thing? THAT is what they got me for my birthday/Christmas/anniversary/Valentines...oh I kid...a little. Here they are in all their fabulousness:

*sigh* I only took them off to sleep. They are the warmest most comfiest things ever. And in this frozen tundra I live in...they are perfect. Thanks Mom & Dennis!

I also came home to find this lovely little package of goodies from the little guy that hangs out with us, James. Aren't they lovely?!? And inside that package is Starbucks ground coffee ;)

All my boys made lovely cards...and Eli knows the way to his mommy's heart...he made me a purse...out of paper.

Ben and I were supposed to go to Olive Garden for supper, but the weather was not cooperating (although quite beautiful!) so Ben brought Olive Garden home to me :)

I ended the night by watching a Hallmark Christmas movie that was made in 1985...they don't make 'em like they used to. It was classic.

Thanks so much to everyone for making it so fantastic!

Oh, I almost forgot...my other aunt sent along this package (which had my favorite Yankee candles in them (do ya'll have Yankee candles down south?!? :) Anyways, the ornament on top says it best.

"All I want is peace on earth and really cute shoes." *smile*

Which leads me to my final thought (I promise) tomorrow I am going to share with you my #1 style tip...it will change your life....ok, it won't, but still...

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It Worked...

Today is my birthday.  31 for any of those who are wondering...I'm good with that...not too old, not too young...still plenty of room for improvement :)

You might remember that the other day I mentioned Ben doing a guest post for me.  After your peer pressure encouragement you totally helped me convince him.  I will, from now on, be bringing you all to my side when I need to persuade anyone.  Well done bloggy friends, well done.

Without further ado...my husband's first guest post:

Happy Birthday to the beautiful pastor's wife!

Wow!  Where should I start?  Sarah doesn't know what she has done in letting me do a guest post for her birthday.  I think the best way to honor her today is with a bullet point list.  

Sarah, I love you because...

• Living in the parsonage is a lot more cozy with you at my side.  
• You are a great multi-tasker, able to keep so many things going, clean, happy, etc.
• Generosity springs from your heart, one of the many things that attracted me to you.
• You love God more than you love me.  
• You love Me more than our boys.  (at least that's how I feel)
• As a mother you are caring, protective, responsive rather than reactive, positive and hopeful.  
• Of the encouragement you offer to those who need it.  
• Yes, you do have a sense of style that complements your personality and warms up a room when you enter.
• You have such a big heart for the people of tiny town and bloggy land as well.

 I could go on and on.  Maybe in another post.  For all of my wife's friends, thank you for always encouraging Sarah with your words, prayers, and actions.  

Happy Birthday, Sarah

From your hubs and pastor

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Tour de Parsonage

The Parsonage: 100 years old, white 2-story, 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, mudroom, kitchen, dining/living room, and the office...which I love to call the office...if only Dwight sat next to me...my blog posts would be so much more interesting...but I am off subject. Again.

Our home is what I like to call cozy. You can't lose anyone it it...even when you might want to. The space issue has helped me to simplify the decorating process. Only stuff that I really love was given the option of living here.

Let the party begin.

The retro white tree actually has presents under it this year. Usually they're hidden upstairs in the closet until Christmas Day...but this year I decided that since I have direct view of the tree from the office I should keep the presents in view...safer that way.

Stockings hung on the mantle shelf with care...

These trees sit on top of my fridge...I think they're adorable.

This tree sits in Noah & Eli's room. It is filled with the felt ornaments that Ben's grandma made for him each year growing up.

And the real reason for all of it...and I'm not just talking about Christmas.

And last but not least, the Christmas card...minus our last name *wink*

For more homes to tour or to join in on the fun, visit Boo Mama's ginormous blog.

Merry Christmas from Life in the Parsonage!

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Some Visuals.

Life...in the parsonage.


Man it drives me nuts when half the string of lights goes out...why can't the whole thing just stop working?!? (Ben re-strung it for me, he's the best)

Jake's outfit choice earlier this week...shirt inside out and...

red pajama shorts over his jeans. Proof positive that one can carry off anything if they can project enough confidence.

Jake's not feeling so hot today...fever and cough have slowed him down considerably. I think it's gonna be a day of Spongebob Christmas DVD over and over...just like yesterday.

PS - I'm trying to get my husband to do a guest post on this little blog but he thinks no one will comment. I assured him how nice ya'll are and that even if he's boring you'll still give him some comment love...because I'm an encourager like that. My birthday is Tuesday. I think this would be a great thing for him to do on my birthday, right?!?

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Still Not Very Deep.

Do you know what is at the heart of the reason I blog? Guess.

I really think it's because you are all so nice to me. Deep, aren't I. For real, your over-the-top kindness to me is maybe making me a little too big for my britches...THAT or Starbucks is...either way, I am so not to blame *cough*

Your blog recommendations were fabulous (I do not say fabulous is real life, only when I blog...but I do talk with as many exclamation points as I use in bloggy world, I can't help myself.) I added them to my reader.

I wanted to come up with something a little deeper today...as I scrolled through much of the last few weeks I realized there's not much depth here. In real life there is...I promise :) What I did see though, as I looked back, is fun and joy and that, my friends, is something I am praising God for today. It's easy to take for granted the times in my life that are light...and full of simple joy. Most of the time I don't realize how good it is until something tough sneaks up. Today, I'm thankful to have recognized this peace while still in the midst of it.

So, in the spirit of fun and realness, you should know that in real life I am not as cute as you think I am, at least most of the time.

I have proof.

Bed head. Unwashed face and shirt that I wore yesterday under my cute sweater (which I got at Dillards for those of you who wanted to know ;) that I wore to bed and then still have on this very minute. I went like this to Target this morning. And I do not even care. Do not even tell me I still look cute, because then I will officially have to call you a liar liar pants on fire. Seriously, do not go there.

What you can tell me is: Do you ever have so much stuff to get done around the house that you end up just wandering around aimlessly accomplishing NONE of it...and instead maybe take pictures of the bag of coffee you bought?

Pretty, isn't it. Decaf too. This former caffeine addict has changed her ways. Oh, I still get me some caffeine, but now it actually does pep me up a little and when I don't have it, I no longer have nasty headaches. Phew. I'm glad that my chosen addiction allows me to still consume that which I was formerly addicted too...as I understand it, the crack addicts do not get to enjoy those same perks...which is how I justify it being ok to have been addicted to caffeine in the first place.

Clever, aren't I.

Did I mention tomorrow is FRIDAY!?! WOO HOO!

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It's the Spice of Life.

Let me start off by telling you how blown away I am with the quality of some your blogs. Generally, I try not to dwell on your fabulousness because it seems to cause me to sit frozen at the computer unable to come up with a post.

There are all kinds of blogs. ALL kinds. Mine falls into the easiest category. It's called "here's what I did today." It works for me...because well, I'm a little lazy, and this kind requires the least amount of effort...I think.

Some are filled with deep spiritual insight and Bible study, some are crafty, some have recipes, some are helpful etc. with great tips about pretty much anything you can think of.

My Google reader is filled with all kinds of these different blogs. I am convinced that variety is the spice of life. We are meant to be different...and to share it.

One of my new favorites is called Small Notebook it is full of all sorts of goodness! And if you click on her links there's a bunch of other great sites that she's got all labeled and organized for you.

And, in true parsonage life fashion...something totally unrelated to what I was talking about...

Here is my new haircut. Because well, it's different than it was...and I like change. If only my hair grew at a really rapid rate, then I could try all sorts of stuff...maybe in heaven that will happen!!! You never know :)

Any new favorite blogs I should know about?!? C'mon, give it up. OR are there any kinds of blogs in particular that you enjoy reading?

Nosy aren't I.

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