Christmas Letter {2014 Edition}

Every year I make the time to get a letter out in the mail to all our family & friends. Since it has been sent & read by all I thought I would post here too!  Happy Holidays.

December 2014

Another fantastic year has flown by.  The kids are growing like weeds & I decided to do a garden this year.  We were harvesting right up into December.  Gosh, I do love the southern living.  Although, already this year we have experienced some unseasonably cool days.  We recently returned from our trip to the North East - squished as much visiting of relatives in as we could.   And of course some fun too.  The Baseball Hall of Fame being one of the spots we hit up.   You know our baseball loving family would have that on the agenda.

Cody is a fifth grader.  Can't believe we are already half way through the school year here.  Even more, I can't believe our Cody is going to be in middle school next year.  Where did the time go?  Of course he is still super into baseball.  Regular season, select, all stars...

you name it he is doing it.  Bring on the baseball life.  We love it.

 

Jack is excelling in school.   In the fourth grade now.   Still has a huge love for reading & all things Lego.  He is our little book worm.  He is really growing up too.  Finally gaining some inches.  Maybe, just maybe Emma won't catch up to him as soon as we thought she would.

Emma is in second grade. She is still loving our "new" school since the move.  So happy.  She recently chopped off a huge 11 inches of her hair & will be donating it to the Pantene program for children in need of wigs.   I am impressed with her love of reading & math. 

Following right along with her brothers in school.   Smart kids.

 

Ray & I have been keeping busy.  Working, coaching, for him not me, lots of sewing, for me not him.  My business has suffered a bit this year due to Facebook's new policies & spending the first half of this year taking care of my nephew Ezra.  We were happy to be able to help my sister & her family out.  We enjoy having them local to us.  Life is more fun growing up with cousins.   My goal for ButterBeans&ChicPeas is to get things back to a flow in 2015.  Launching new patterns & new products.  - Oh! How could I forget, we purchased an investment property this June.  So far, so good.   Great tenants & a realtor to handle it all.

 

We hope that your year has been fabulous & prosperous.  We wish you good health, joyful times & a very happy New Year.

Much Love,
-The L Family-

Ray.Bev.Cody.Jack.Emma.Fenway

 

What I Wore Wednesday {Christmas Is Coming}

No. Really. Christmas is coming. It's going to be here before we know it.  I have done about no shopping. No family pictures taken and no Christmas yearly letter written. Eeek. It's coming.

I have been super busy making camera bags and playing catchup from last week's time off in the northeast.  Must be lots of ladies getting cameras for Christmas.  The bag orders have peaked again.

Well I am bundled up and on my way back from the bus stop. But here is my WIWW outfit of the day. ♡

Top plaid Eddie Bauer button up.
Skinny jeans by Forever 21
Long pea coat by BB Dakota
Long Knit Scarf
Boots by Hot Cakes (Shoe Dept.)

Happy Wednesday.

What I Wore Wednesday {I love fall}

Life has been a busy blur of goodness. Gosh I love a warm fall day. And that's just what it is here today. Yes. A warm 65° already today, with a high of 72°. Gonna enjoy it. The extend forecast doesn't look so nice.

We are heading out to the vet. Just our yearly pug check up. But. Our pug hates the vet. He turns into a real asshole. Hoping this puppy calming pill makes the experience a little  better on him, and us.

Stripped  3/4 Top by Old Navy 

Denim Skinny Jeans by Forever 21

Pink Flats by Old Navy

Happy Wednesday.

What I Wore Wednesday {It's Been Awhile...}

It really has been awhile. I haven't bothered to photo, let alone post a WIWW blog post being that I have nothing new or different in my closet.  Today I am wearing my yellow shorts from Target that I have posted a time or twelve.  I have layered two racer back tanks both from Old Navy with a light cardi from Old Navy as well.  It's a little chilly out this morning, but later today it will be in the 80s.  So yes, I am still rocking the flip flops till I can't stand it & my toes freeze off.

 

Instead you should enjoy this photo of my cuties on picture day.  I don't purchase the photos, but this is the head shot they throw in the year book & the day they take class pictures.  - So they are looking good for it.  Emma of course has gym, wouldn't you know? She brought her sandals for pictures in her bag.  I am just glad I got her to agree to putting on shorts under the dress.  She wanted to bring a whole change of clothes for pictures that we aren't even purchasing.  This was our mutual agreement.

 

You Might Be A Mom If...

I've been floating these around in my head for days. Just when do you have time to blog? Eek. Between all the motherly duties, being a work at home mom & trying to stay socially sane - just really when do I have the time to blog. You gotta make the time. Today. I made the time. So here is the beginning of something beautiful funny.  A list that will be added to via coming blog posts, you know when I make the time, of You Might Be A Mom If's.  Ready?  Lets do this shizzz.

You Might Be A Mom If:

1. You find it totally acceptable to go to the bus stop/carpool in whatever tee shirt you wore to bed & the cleanest pair of yoga pants you can find.
2. You have 27 pinterest boards with 1,896 pins & you've never done one of them.
3. The last social interaction you had was on Twitter.
4. You don't even bother to close the bathroom door anymore.  There is no privacy - the dog is welcome too.
5. You drink wine at 3.  In case you didn't know wine {or any alcohol} is now acceptable after noon.  And a cup of coffee by 5.  Uppers & Downers.  You feel me.  Don't lie.
6. You tried a fad diet.  And failed.
7. Your go to pair of shoes are flip flops.
8. You have made yourself a microwaved s'more & ate it in the closet so the kids didn't see.
9. You have alarms set on your phone for everything.
10. You've cooked 5 different meals in one night.  And I am not talking about stocking up for later.  Everyone in the family wanted something different & they all won.

Got any to add to the list?  I hope to make time to add another post soon.  Until then.  Enjoy.


 

What I Wore Wednesday {Fall is in the air. I love it.}

 

You all know how much I love fall. The colors. The smells. I keep my house smelling of all things Fall year round. But you know what. I really really love summer. If I could live somewhere that was year round summer that would be great. Days by the pool. Cooler nights by the fire, grilled EVERYTHING.  This is the last week of the pool here & its been down right chilly.  High of 72 today & I am dressed warm. I love fall.  But I don't love what comes next. Winter. Who's with me?

 

 

Top by Eddie Bauer

Cardigan by Gap

Khakis by Old Navy

Grey Mary Janes by Mossimo for Target

 

Time to get to the machine.  Today is the day I find out how well {or not} the 1 inch foam goes through my new machine.  Three camera bags & a bunch of Halloween orders coming up in the next coming days.  Get ready!  Happy Wednesday. 

Costco vs BJ Wholesale Club {"I am from New Jersey not North Carolina. I don't give a fuck!"}

We are long standing members of Costco - we know the layout & the atmosphere is usually pleasant.  Lots of Asians & rich white people.  I don't do everyday shopping here, as a lot of the items are incredibly over priced.  Example, cereal.  Never should you pay $8 for TWO bags of cereal.  That's foolish.  However, the prices on chicken, coffee, spinach, tortilla chips & Annies mac & cheese cannot be beat.  So we shop at Costco once a month & spend around $200 every time .. and we leave feeling like we barely bought anything.  Over the years we have bought a few large items here too.  Like our television, a lap top, Christmas gifts, etc.  So we did have the Executive Membership where we recently received a check for $86 which we had to spend back at Costco.  You know how much I hate when stores do that.  Seriously.  Thanks for that.  Its a win for them.

As you remember we moved almost a year ago.  Not to far of a move, 15 minutes from our old address.  We kept our Costco membership through the year & its coming up on the time to renew, but we thought we would check out something closer.  Our neighbor shops at BJ's Wholesale Club & we are always getting the Free Trial ad so why not?  Its about 20 minutes closer too!

Upon pulling into the parking lot we could already se a different class of people.  I am not super classy, so who am I to judge I tell myself as we walk in.  The layout looks super similar to Costco.  I am thinking yay.  This is going to be good.  I hate not finding things & wasting my time.  We go up to the customer service & get our membership started.  Everything the lady is telling us sounds great.  14 months for $40 & bonus a $50 Restaurant gift card.  Its like they are paying me to get the membership.  Awesome.  We browse the store.  Prices are rather comparable to Costco & a lot of the same items we typically buy.

However back to the class of people.  Bah.  We have some how run into this one big black mama in just about every isle we have gone down.  Her two hellions are running around, screaming & just being terrible.  I am going to guess they were probably 3 & 5 years old.  After the fourth isle we shopped together, going opposite directions, I come around the corner & there she is again.  This time her kids are a little further away & she is obviously not real thrilled with them.  Shit gets real.  She goes off.  "I am from New Jersey not Fucking North Carolina."  She is speaking loud, I mean she is a big black mama.  At first I am like no, maybe I miss heard her.  She couldn't possibly have said "fucking North Carolina" ... could she?  And then she goes on...   "I don't give a fuck!  I'll beat your asses right here."  The two boys just laughed at her and ran directly into my cart.

Side note:  I thought the south was known for "beating" children not the north?

 Hope you feel better big black mama.  You got that off your chest, proved to me that BJ's is a whole other class of people & it didn't change what your boys were doing one bit.   A couple isles later the boys were alone & no mama to be seen.  Maybe she was hiding from them, hoping to lose them. - Oh there she is yelling at them an isle away.   Luckily we lost them the rest of or time in the store & had a more enjoyable shopping experience without them. Ha. $111 later, & 6 items purchased we were out of there.

Even after all that we joined BJ's.  Lets hope that was a one time event & it can only get better from here.   Where do you do your bulk shopping?
 

What I Wore Wednesday {Back To School}

The littles are back at it. Weeks 4 - 13 here we go.  Always rough getting back to schedule after a track out. But we seem to be falling in nicely.  Baseball starts back up on Saturday & that may make things a little tougher. Hard to open your eyes at 7 am after being at baseball till 930 pm.  Don't get me wrong,  we are super ciked to get back to baseball. ⚾ For reals.

Dress by Forever 21

Sandals by x appeal

Happy Wednesday

What I Wore Wednesday {Mr. L's Birthday}

Hey. Hey. It's Mr. L's Birthday.  All dressed up and no where to go.  Ha. Funny how this one black dress from old Navy can be completely casual or totally dressed up with a fun necklace.  By the way I just picked this necklace up at Charming Charlies.  I love it.  Mr. L thinks it's tacky.  Oh well. Men.

Dress by Old Navy

Necklace & Bracelet Accessories by Charming Charlies 

Happy Wednesday. 

What I Wore Wednesday {Wear your sunscreen, cover yourself}

Its been awhile. I've been busy again. Or just not wearing anything.  Wearing my bikini - sitting poolside getting my summer glow on.  See it?  Well honestly my tan is fading away.  Doesn't take near as long to lose it as it does to get it.  That's a good thing though right?  Don't pull that "wear your sunscreen, cover yourself" bullshit on me.  I get enough of that from my sister. That girl tried to coat me in SPF 55 when we went to the pool together.  Back the f up.   Drink water & use after sun lotion.  Hydrate.  That is all. 



Well today I am wearing a real comfy knit top by Old Navy & a knit stripped skirt made by yours truly.  My sandals are from Rack Room by X-Appeal.  {They are so last year! *wink*} 

Here's to a productive day.  Happy Wednesday.

 

What I Wore Wednesday

Yesterday I ran errands with my sister & Ezra. She was in search of a swim suit. While at Old Navy I spotted this cute black dress, that looked like it might be just long enough that if a good wind blows it won't show you all my underware. I went ahead and tried it on.  Sure enough it was a great length & comfortable too.  Double win.  Its perfect for this hot summer.  {Its not even technically summer yet & we have been in the upper 90s several day & heat index of 108.  Oye.  Its looking like its going to be a brutal summer. }  I don't typically spend over $20 on a dress.  This one was $22 then it was Tuesday so 10% off with my Old Navy Card.  So just under $20.  Win.   I actually ended up getting these cute shoes at Walmart.  I never go to Walmart.  The kids couldn't believe I bought shoes there.  We will see how long they last.  - Super cute & totally worth the $9 regardless.

 

Black Racer Back Dress by Old Navy

Floral Coral Sandals by Faded Glory {Walmart}

Happy Wednesday.

What I Wore Wednesday {All Stars & Limousine}

Good Morning.  Happy Wednesday.  Currently enjoy a fresh salad for breakfast.  That's just how I roll.  Spinach, cucumbers, peppers, avocado & mushrooms.  My favorite.  -  Last night was our last Rec League Season game.  No time for breaks friends, tonight we start practice with the All Star team.  That's right, my boy Cody made All Stars again this season.  He's pretty Awesome that one.

 

At 12:30 this afternoon my book worm, Jack is off to Pizza lunch - via Limousine.  That boy.  He read the most books in his class & gets to join 12 other students with the Assistant Principal on a fun outing to celebrate reading. 

 

On my sewing to do list today.  A camera bag in aqua chevrons & Washies - 4 sets.  I am changing it up this time, per clients request.  Terry Cloth.  Yes. That's right.  Real  scrubbing power.  Sometimes, with toddlers, that's more important than softness.  Yes. Big messes.

 

 

 

Racer Back Tank by Old Navy

Khaki Skirt by Old Navy

Flats by Rock & Candy

Coffee by Starbucks

Picasso style artwork by Myself

 

Lets Do This.  Happy Wednesday.



What I Wore Wednesday {Home Run}

Good Morning Friends. This morning it is refreshingly cool outside.  It won't last long.  Cody proclaimed "if everyday was like this life would be so much better..."  Oh my little 10 year old.
Last night we were supposed to have baseball.  {Was finally going to get my baseball fix!}  As we got closer to the field the darker it got.  It was like the storm was hovering only over the park.  For real.  The rain was really coming down but the boys took the field anyways.  We were the away team & Cody was up to bat first.  One Pitch. One Hit. One Run!  Home Run Cody!  Only two more batters got up before they called the game.  The field quickly began to look like a lake.  {So much for our baseball fix!}  Back home we went & it was dry.  No rain here.  Hmph.

 

 

Black Ruffle Top by Old Navy

Yellow Shorts by Merona for Target

Black & White Polk a Dot Flats by Merona for Target

Happy Wednesday!

 

What I Wore Wednesday

It's been a couple weeks...  I have been in a clothes rut. Also lack of clothes, sitting poolside.  Oh yea.

Today I am showered, dressed, and coffee in hand by 8 am. What's up with that?  This weeks outfit I really had to dig deep for.  Like I said I am in a rut.  I have no new summer clothes, so I went shopping in my own closet.  This top is at least 3 years old & the shorts are probably 4 or 5 years old.  Oh well.  Comfy & Cute.  Ready to take on this HOT 90 degree day. 



Top by H&M

Shorts by Old Navy

Flip Flops by Old Navy

Happy Wednesday!

 

What I Wore Wednesday (Last Week of Track Out)

We are in our final week, actually days,  of trackout.  It always goes by fast.  I am not ripping my hair out yet. We have been super busy with baseball.  Lots of baseball. We have this weekend off for mothers day. What to do? Typically we go strawberry picking.  Just not sure if it is a good year for strawberries here in NC.  And to top it all off Mr.  L is on call this week. Work has been slow though. We have seen lots of Mr. L during trackout. Yay. Jack and I are working on Xtra math & achieve3000 ... good ol' homework.  Off to enjoy five more days without packing lunches x3.

Orange tank top by Old Navy
Black cardigan by Old Navy
Chevron Skirt by ButterBeans&ChicPeas
Orange flats by Target

What I Wore Wednesday {The Cats Ass}

My Grandparents traveled through and made a stop at our house for two nights over the weekend. They were able to catch one of Cody's Select games.  Knights vs Youngsville.  We totally won.  It didn't look good with a score of 7-0 but, we pulled it off in the last two innings.  Final score 8-7!  Awesome.  
We went home and celebrated with pizza dinner.  My grandma couldn't believe we had such a fabulous shopping center within walking distance of our house {not that we walked}.  We have five restaurants, grocery & pharmacy, as well as some other shoppes in the plaza.  She referred to it all as....  "the cats ass!"  Have you all heard that one?  I mean, I've heard of "the cats meow" or "the bees knees", but never  "the cats ass."  Sorry Grandma.  Well, we totally googled that shit, er, ass, and its a thing.  You guys.  It was popular in the 1920s.  My grandma isn't that old.  Now determined to make it have its comeback.

Top {Dress} by Old Navy

Cardigan by Old Navy

Skinny Dark Denim by Forever 21

Flip Flops by Old Navy

Bow Necklace by Screaming Owl

Butterfly Bracelet {Birthday Present.  Street Fair find from Grandma}

 

Happy Wednesday.



What I Wore Wednesday {First day of track out}

Keeping it simple. It's our first day tracked out. I am relaxed and ready to enjoy coffee. Sunshine. Friends. And oh more sunshine. 

top from old navy

bottoms also from old navy

flip flops from old navy

I guess I am a walking old navy ad. 

oh well. Happy Wednesday.

What I Wore Wednesday {coffee and relaxing}

I've been visiting with family & running around like a chicken with my head cut off.  Movies. Baseball. Dinner. School. Dishes. Building. Shopping. Yes! Papa and Bonnie are in town. My house is full.. today however I am alone enjoying a cup of coffee and relaxing. The littles are still in school this week and we have had baseball almost every day since last Friday.  Busy. Yesterday we got to work on my raised garden. Today is too stinkin cold to finish it up. Tomorrow. I just have to add soil. It's looking amazing. Can't wait to see it full of fresh veggies for the summer.

Alright. Here's what I am wearing. 

Pink skinny jeans by Indigo Rein
Sweater by Old Navy
Polka dot socks by Target