Three Dutch Braid Styles.

January 20, 2016

My hair has always been long, because I love the options to keep it up and out of my face. I would love to chop it soon, but due to the request of a certain sweet 6 year old, I am keeping it long for a little while longer. Until then, I’ll just keep braiding…

{Double Dutch Braids}

{Knotted dutch braid inspired by Rey of Star Wars Episode VII of course. Tribe Tat necklaces.}

{Side dutch ponytail braid. Photo by Morgan Blake.}

Wish I would’ve snapped some how-to’s along the way…I’ll work on that. Here are a few hair products that are working really well for taking care of my long hair right now:

Marula Oil Shampoo and Conditioner
Marula Oil Hair Mask
Elizabeth and James Dry Shampoo for Dark Hair
Tresemme Extra Hold Hair Spray

Do you all have any tried and true faves?
Also, if you have medium length hair, my girl Kate of The Small Things Blog has eons of ideas!

February Bar Cart for Domino Mag.

January 19, 2016

I am trying to cope with the fact that Christmas is over, so I am over compensating with my bar cart;) I use my bar cart more for coffee in the mornings than anything else so I just added some cake and roses for a little soiree with friends.

I’m so thrilled to be occasionally contributing to Domino Mag design posts. I’m really looking forward to this opportunity! This is a peek at my first post. You can head over to Domino for all the photos. (I got many of these items in the dollar section at Target.)

The long weekend was so good that it’s making this morning sorely in need of that pot of coffee pictured.
Happy Tuesday!

Items Featured:

Happy MLK Day.

January 18, 2016

Cheers to one of the greatest influences of our time.
Hoping my children can have just an ounce of the courage and moral compass that Dr. King had. Artwork by my talented friend Jenn Gietzen of Write on Design.

X, Anna

Nutella Hot Chocolate with Homemade Peppermint Marshmallows

January 16, 2016

If it has the word Nutella in it, I don’t really need to be convinced any further. Thank you Abbey of The Butter Half for today’s winter recipe!

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31 Dresses: No. 2

January 14, 2016

Dress // similar sweater // Boots c/o (on sale) // Hat

I want to live a life….
where I put a tap to the tree and drain every last drop of the goodness that it held.
That I stop and listen to the hard days, and learn from the parables they held.
That I am grateful during the brighter days.
That I always seek truth over acceptance.
I want a life where my children remember my smile over my frown.
Where they see me transform into a better mother, wife, and friend because of their existence.
I want to live a life where I end the days with an overdose of I love you’s and ask for forgivenesses, than regrets of withholding them.
I want a life that revels in the wonder of God’s majesty in the stillness of silence, the faces of strangers, and even in the chaos of the unknown.
I want to live a life that is ready to accept the end whenever it comes, because I have truly LIVED.

…Written at some morning hour of the new year.

15 Best Free Travel Apps

January 13, 2016

I am not really a big ‘apps for everything in life’ kind of gal, but when it comes to travel, I graciously bow down to the genius travel app designers who have saved my tail on numerous occasions. This is a list of handy apps to have on hand when you are in a pinch or just need to find the best travel deals or places to eat…

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Winter days around here + GIVEAWAY

January 11, 2016

The days get pretty chilly here in January and February so I have to have a bunch of ideas up my sleeve when my little ones get antsy. I actually love when all my babes are home with nowhere to go. If we have a snowy or rainy winter day indoors, I’ll put on the record player, bring out all the blankets and let them build forts in different rooms. It becomes a place they read books or play bandits in, and if Veronica is lucky, play house. I also pull out all the art supplies from our art cabinet for play dough, painting, coloring, etc. This keeps my older ones entertained for hours.

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