Let's Talk

Hello Girls!

Today I am linking up with Andrea and Erika for their monthly "Let's Talk" linkup!  You guys should join in too!

YES!!

Today we are talking about our favorite fall things!  Fall has always, hands down, been my favorite season!  Cooler temps, football, lots of yummy crockpot meals, and pumpkin spice everything!  Falls in NJ were just amazing, then we moved to NC, and though they were not as awesome as Jersey fall, I still really looked forward the season....now we are even further south, and I am thinking the cooler temps that usually come with fall, will not be!  We moved at the end of October last year, and it was still HOT! 

Regardless of how hot I know it is still going to be here for the next few months, I am going with the season, and just going to disregard the temps!

So here are a few of my favorite fall things......

Every year, I feel like it is officially fall when I have my first PSL! 

I burn the same candle from Anthro pretty much year round...however during the fall months, I LOVE the 3-wick candles from Bath and Body....they are so reasonably priced and smell AMAZING!!!

And I just happened to be at Anthro this weekend, and they had my favorite fall candle out, so of course I snagged it!

If you asked me what fall smells like, I would say this Pumpkin soufflé candle!  I could have sworn last year they were $16...and now they are $18...so that was very disappointing! 

I wish these holiday creamers would stick around all year long!  I always look forward to the day when I walk into the store and see them!  The peppermint mocha and iced sugar cookie are my faves!

Fall & Football....my absolute favorite thing about fall!  Go Panthers....Go Jets!

Super cute booties are a fall favorite!

I am a huge fan of the crockpot...I love throwing everything in there in the morning, and then come dinner time, the meal is done, and I don't really have to do a thing other than serve it!  During the fall and winter months I probably use my crockpot 4 times a week!

When I think fall, I think apples.  Back in NJ we would always go apple picking each fall, and it was one of my favorite things to do.  Though I don't go apple picking anymore, I still love making yummy apple pies and applesauce all fall long!  One of our favorites is homemade apple sauce in the crockpot!

There are certain shows we just LOVE over here, and with fall comes all our favorites series starting back up again! 

I usually always have a very neutral color on my nails, but during the fall, OPI Lincoln Park After Dark is my favorite! 

Now all this talk about fall has me itching to break out all my fall décor!  Cannot wait to see what everyone's favorite fall things are!  Thanks for stopping by today! 

Let's Talk

Hello Girls!

Today I am linking up with Andrea and Erika for their "Let's Talk" linkup!

Today we are chatting about School Days!  Back to school time is always such a fun time for us!  As a kid I loved getting new clothes, shoes, a new backpack, lunchbox and supplies!  And now as a mom, I love doing these things for my kiddos! 

Our back to school is a bit different for us than in years past.  Normally all my kids started on the same day, but now that we have moved and Olivia attends a year round school, it definitely is just not the same.  It has been weird only getting up one child versus all three! 

When Brooke and Harrison were younger I would go out in the beginning of summer and get all their school supplies, to beat the rush of everyone shopping right before school started, but I soon realized I really wasn't doing myself any favors by going so early!  Our schools always have put out a generic supply list, and I would go and get every item on it, and then once they started back, half of what was on the list they didn't need, and each teacher had their own list...so now I just buy things like pencils, notebooks, crayons, etc..that I know they will need and wait for either the first week of school or open house to get the rest.  School supplies can get very expensive, so now I just wait and only buy what they need! 

I always have loved back to school shopping for clothes for the kids, there is just something so awesome about wearing a brand new outfit and new shoes on the first day of school!  Now that my boys are older, they have their own style and opinions on what they want to wear...and basically it is basketball shorts and a t-shirt every single day...and I mean EVERY SINGLE DAY!  So back to school shopping for the boys consists of basically just hitting up Marshalls and TJ MAXX and grabbing all the Nike shorts and t-shirts we can find!  EASY PEASY! 

I always had so much fun shopping for Olivia...I mean there is just nothing better than dressing a little girl!  Her school is a uniform school now, and I have to admit I LOVE it!  There is zero fighting in the mornings about what to wear, and it really is so economical.  She can wear navy or khaki bottoms and a polo type shirt either white, red, navy or orange.  She can also wear polo-type dresses in any of those colors or a blue or khaki jumper too.  I just go to Target and get her everything she needs for the year, and it costs me well under $100 to outfit her for the ENTIRE school year...and that just makes me happy!  I am a huge fan of school uniforms and wish all the schools were uniform schools! 

Every year on the first day of school and the last, I tend to get a little weepy.  The years seem to be flying by faster and faster, and though it is such a joy watching my kids grow up, it is also very bittersweet for me.  The time has just flown by and I feel like I have blinked my eyes and they went from babies to big kids literally overnight.  I am always amazed how much they seem to grow during the school year! 

Liv started 3rd grade two weeks ago, and so far she is LOVING it, she is such a little sponge and she just loves learning new things.  I love just sitting and listening to her read to me or bust out multiplication facts like no one's business!  Math is her jam and she loves it!

AJ will be starting 7th grade...and he loves middle school.  He had such a great year last year and I am pretty sure he will own 7th grade this year!

Jack..he is starting high school...how that is even possible...I just don't know.  Jack is an incredible student.  He loves school and does very well.  He is so dedicated to his studies and I am so proud of him!  I thought he would be a little nervous about starting high school, but he isn't.  He can't wait to start and is already talking about college!  This boy has big plans for his future and I know he is going to have an awesome freshman year!

I love having my kids home with me, but I have to admit that I love once they are all back in school and we have a routine, and well the peace and quiet is also a plus! 

The boys have two more weeks before school starts and they are soaking up their last days of summer by staying up all night and pretty much sleeping all day!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Hope y'all have a great day!

Let's Talk

Happy Monday Girls!

 

Today I am linking up with Andrea and Erika for their monthly "Let's Talk" link-up.  Be sure to grab the graphic and link up too!

 

 

 

and here is the list for the upcoming topics....

 

 

Today we are chatting about our hair and make-up routines!  I always love these topics...I am always on the lookout for great products that others are using!

 

 

I have naturally wavy hair, but not the nice beachy wave kind of wavy hair...the kind of wavy hair that just gets frizzy!  Most days I use a flat iron and straighten the heck out of my hair, and some days, I let it be a little more natural, and using certain products definitely keeps my hair from frizzing!

 

I feel like I have used pretty much every single shampoo and conditioner on the market, and this is hands down my favorite!  And the smell....amazing!

 

 

I have been using Moroccan Oil for years, and two weeks ago when I was getting my hair done, my stylist recommended that I use the "light" Moroccan Oil instead of the regular one.  That same weekend, a reader recommended the same thing!  I ordered it asap.  If you have light hair go get yourself this little bottle of awesomeness!

 

 

A few weeks ago when Shay and Erika had their "Stranded" linkup someone had mentioned this little serum...I went to Target and grabbed some...I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!  After I wash my hair I put this on my wet hair and blow dry...it really works!!

 

 

That same person also mentioned this flat iron spray, and I grabbed it as well....I am really loving these products.  They work awesome and they are not crazy expensive!

 

 

Probably my most favorite beauty item of all is my Beauty Blender!  If you guys aren't using one, you need to be.  I cannot say even great things about this little pink sponge!

 

Can't wait to read through and see everyone's favorite products and routines!

 

See you back here tomorrow!

 

 

 



Let's Talk

  

Happy Monday Ladies!

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter!  Ours was low key, and nice.  We are still learning to adjust to the holidays and not having any family around!

Today I am linking up with Andrea and Erika for their monthly "Let's Talk" link-up.  Be sure to grab the graphic and link up too!

And below is the list for the rest of them!

Today it's all about Moms...and what I love most about my life is being a mom.  Ever since I was little girl, all I ever wanted was to grow up, get married and be a mom.  I guess I can say my dreams came true.  As I am sure any mom out there would agree, being a mom is the hardest, yet most rewarding job ever.  I have been a mom for 24 years, and I have definitely had my share of bad days, but I wouldn't trade a single second, not even the really tough times, being a mother has brought me so much happiness. 

Sometimes I still can't believe I have adult children, I feel like just yesterday they were born!  I was a very young mom, I was 18 when Brooke was born.  People would, and still do, ask me if I regretted having a child so young, if I feel like I missed out on things because I had a child so young.  I never once ever thought I had missed out on anything, honestly I felt the exact opposite.  I would never recommend to anyone to have a baby at 18, because it just isn't easy, but I wouldn't change a thing.  I never once felt I missed out on anything...I had a perfect little baby, who filled my life with so much meaning and love.  Yes I was forced to grow up quickly, I had real responsibilities, and though my family was extremely supportive of me, my mom made it VERY clear to me that this was my child, my responsibility.  Kenny and I had to figure out a way to make it all work, pay for diapers, formula, childcare, doctor visits...I was forced to grow up REAL quick, but I wouldn't change a thing.  Yes our friends were going out, taking vacations, spending their money on all sorts of fun stuff, and there we were, two young kids, I was 18 and Kenny was 23, working our butts off to have just enough money for the baby's necessities.  Some days were really tough, but we stuck together, and did what we needed to do to provide for this new little family that we chose to have.  For us, it worked out, we got married and went on to have 4 more children. 

Motherhood has been everything I thought it would be and more, and then so much that I never expected.  I remember when I had Brooke, my heart seriously could have exploded, I was so in love with my daughter, and I remember when I found out I was pregnant with Harrison I was scared, scared I wouldn't be able to love him near as much as I loved Brooke, I mean how could I???  It really is true what they say, you don't have to divide the love, it just multiplies...and I have seen it happen 5times.  A mother always has enough love!  It really is amazing! 

Being a mom is TOUGH, and I always find myself questioning if I am doing a good job, and then I quickly remember, there is no such thing as a "perfect mom", everyday I just do the best that I can, and hope and pray that I am raising my children to be good people.  That is really all we can do right?  Over the years I have questioned a lot of my parenting, but as a mother with two adult children, I can look at them and know that no I was never a "perfect" mom, I definitely did something right.  All those times I thought they weren't listening to me, they were, there is truly no greater joy than looking at your adult child knowing they turned out great.

I am so fortunate to have been blessed with an amazing mother, and a grandmother that was simply the BEST!

My mom....my biggest supporter, my biggest critic and my best friend.  My mother is an amazing woman, and one of the strongest women I know.  If I can be half the mother to my children that she was to me, I will be lucky.  My mother instilled in me from a very young age how truly important family is.  She showed me that nothing is given, it must be earned.  She taught me that hard work is the only way to succeed.  She taught me that sitting around complaining about things doesn't do a damn bit of good, you get out there and you make the changes you need to, in order to find happiness.  She taught me that money doesn't buy happiness, but being a good person, having morals, values and standards and always doing the right thing, even when it's easier not to, brings the truest of happiness. 

This woman....my grandmother...how lucky am I that I got to have her in my life for 40 years!  My grandmother, one of a kind!  She was always the life of the party, she was opinionated and always spoke her mind, no matter what!  She was the leader of our family, no one loved her family like my granny did.  She amazed me!  She had 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren, I can't tell you what it means to me knowing that all my 5 children knew her and have a memory of her.  Family was all that mattered to my grandmother, she passed that on to my mother, who passed it on to me, and I am so thankful for that! 

So that is my story of motherhood, what being a mom is to me, and the two amazing women who I am fortunate enough to call mom and grandma!

Hope you guys have a great day!  See you back here tomorrow!



Let's Talk...And Essential Oil Giveaway Winner!

Happy Monday Ladies!

 

Leap year...means I have to wait an extra day for my birthday...lol! 

 

Today I am linking up with Andrea and Erika for their monthly "Let's Talk" link up.  You should link up too!

 

 

 

 

Today we are talking about the guys in our life, and I am pretty lucky because I have some of the greatest guys ever in my life!

 

No secret that this guy is hands down my favorite of all time!  Most days I feel like I hit the husband jackpot!  I know I talk a lot about Mark and what a great guy he is.  And girls, I am not just saying it, it really is true...he is pretty much the best! 

 

Every single day I wake up and thank God for bringing Mark into my life.  I am so blessed and don't ever take this man for granted.  After my divorce, I had pretty much decided I would probably be alone and just raise my kids, and honestly I was kind of OK with that.  My ex-husband is a really good guy, and he made it so that even in divorce, I was still able to focus on my kids, and not much really changed in our lives.  Being single in your mid 30's is scary, being a 35 year old single mom to 5 is even scarier!  Never in a million years did I ever think I would be able to meet someone who would be cool with the fact that I had 5 kids!  Well...enter Mark...I remember on the very first night we met, telling him about my 5 kids and it didn't even phase him...I knew right there he was the "one".  He came into our lives and he fit so perfectly.  The kids adored him from the start, it was love at first sight for them as well.  He is such a good dad to my kids, and never once did he ever try and take the place of Kenny, he just loved them as much as if they were his own.  He has always been so respectful of Kenny and who he is, and because he loves the kids and me so much, he made it a point to really get to know Kenny and get along with him.  Most of you know that when Kenny comes to visit, he stays at our house, and we spend a lot of time together...I mean how great that Mark welcomes my ex-husband into his home, sits out back, has a beer with him, sits and listens to stories of the old days, and never ever gets angry or annoyed.  Really, I am telling you this man is amazing.   I truly believe it takes a very special person so come in and love and raise another man's children, and Mark is that special someone.  My kids are so darn lucky to have two dads who love them...we don't ever use the term "step dad" here...they just have two dads..if you ask them, that's what they will tell you!

 

Aside from being an awesome dad, he is an even better husband.  He works so hard, and gives so much to me.  He asks for nothing in return.  He takes care of me, is my biggest supporter, and when I am having the shittiest of days, he knows just what to say to put a smile on my face.  I am so thankful that I get to do life with him by my side.  To be able to find such a true, wonderful love after divorce and lots of heartache has been the absolute greatest gift of my life. 

 

I really cannot even put into words how much I love this man!

 

 

My kids are so lucky to have him...the best dad ever!

 

Olivia was just shy of turning 2 when Mark came into our lives, and the amount of love between these two is just incredible...their bond is fierce and they just adore each other....

 

She is a daddy's girl for sure...and she has him wrapped right around her finger.  M heart could truly explode when I see these two together!

 

In addition to my awesome hubby, I am also pretty fortunate to have 3 other pretty awesome guys in my life.....

 

My 3 sons!

 

Harrison, AJ & Jack.....pretty awesome guys and the absolute best sons a mother could ever ask for!

 

 

On Thursday my friend Elaine took over my blog and told us all about Essential Oils, and she was doing a little giveaway for 3 oils....

 

Everybody that commented, their name went into this little container and Mark picked the winner...

 

The winner is :

LAUREN MCGREEVY

Congratulations Lauren...email me at kimmskorner@gmail.com with your address and Elaine will get your 3 FREE oils out to you!

 

 

Thanks for stopping by today!  Be sure to check back here tomorrow...a special guy is turning 14!!!

 

Have a great Monday...make it awesome!