Last month Heidi over at Mustache Mama and Ashley Marie over at Chevron Stitches hosted the {You've Been Mugged} Mug Swap. I quickly signed up and was so excited to scour stores and find a mug for my swap partner - Lillies & Silk. But then life happened (or rather the opposite of that). So, I was unable to link up on Dec. 5th nor was I able to send the mug & gifts to my mug partner until last week, I think. I know, I am lame. Life can be lame sometimes, but you just have to pick yourself up and dust yourself off and keep on going...

By the time I had received it and what with all that was going on in my personal life, I had forgotten all about the mug swap and when we were supposed to send (and receive) them. So, it was a lovely and wonderful surprise when I received a box at work. I was really racking my brain, like - what? I didn't order anything. Or did I, and just totally had mom brain? So when I opened the box up and all the careful wrapping and what not..the anticipation was killing me and then voila! Here is what Carissa of Lillies & Silk sent:




It really brightened up my day. I'm sort of glad that I received it first because, after all the life mess stuff I was enduring, all I could think of sending was a mug..and Carissa had sent not just a lovely mug but some treats as well along with her blog cards and note cards made by river & bridge. So, when I was finally able to get to sending out her mug, it was a much better package than I had originally intended. Except I wish I had gotten her the hazelnut flavored biscottis, but the store I went to was out of them - or well they had one left but it was all messed up and yeah, not gift worthy. Anyway, I hope she liked it (she said she did - yay!)

My original post today was too depressing or too full of itself - a little bit of both. We have a lot planned this weekend, but I really do hope to clean and purge and make some donations. I've gathered some unopened toys and would like to donate those to families. They're not fancy or the sought after trendy toys but hey, it's something. I wish people would forget all the consumerism stuff and just focus on the merriment and family togetherness part of the holidays..ok, see - there I go again with the depressing and too full of itself crap.

Anyway...there are lots of things to look forward to..I just need to remind myself of this, as we struggle in the day to day.

Also since it is Friday - it is Photo Friday (click on link to find out more)! This week's challenge is: Men.

Happy Friday! What are you all up to this weekend?

Heidi is one of my new bloggy friends, who blogs over at Mustache Mama, a Featured Sponsor. She is also the designer and creator of laWarrior, a handcrafted jewelry etsy store...She is an amazingly talented designer, blogger and mom! Recently I got a little chance to ask her a few questions that I thought you readers would enjoy (ok, it was mostly for me because well, I just really loved her style!). 

So without further ado, here's Heidi's answers:

Q: As a mom to 2 kiddos, how do you continue to be "stylish"?

A: I wouldn't say I have always been a "Stylish Mom". After I had my daughter, I was in such a rut! I hated getting dressed to go out, pretty much because I didn't fit into any of my "normal" clothes. I am going to be honest with you, I gained some weight with both my kids, and it didn't disappear the instant I had them! I rocked my maternity jeans for quite awhile after I had both of them. Grew my hair out very long (I have always had SHORT hair, so that was kind of different). I basically dressed to be comfortable, being as I was running after 2 little munchkins all day long. And I just prayed no one every looked at me or even recognized me for that matter. I really didn't like looking in the mirrors, I just wasn't ME! After I started losing a lot of my baby weight (which I am still fighting to do now and my youngest is almost 2) I decided it was time to start looking like my old self again! I bought things that made me feel good about myself, things that fell in to the category of "My Style" and not "Oh well this will hide me from the world!" I love buying clothes so much more now since becoming a mom. I guess what I am also trying to say is you don't have to sacrifice your style just because your are a mom, just be you! 

Q:What is your daily routine?

A: It really is never the same! LOL I have been trying to get up before my kids, who are usually up by 7 am, so I can get stuff done or not. Then it's breakfast, which I make every morning, usually eggs and fruit or pancakes/french toast. Then it's just kind of all over the place. There might be a nap for at least one munchkin and some outside time if the weather permits (its been super nice lately so we have been taking advantage of it). Snack time, lunch time... Some TV, yes I let them watch TV. If I plan it out I can usually get dinner in the Crock Pot in the morning so by the time my Hubs is home (5:30ish) we can all sit down to have dinner...Then it's family time, bath time and the kids are in bed by 8:30. Then it starts all over again the next morning, either in the same order or not, which most of the time it's not! LOL 

Q: How do you incorporate blogging into your routine?

A: I am still trying to figure that out. I have only been blogging since June of this year, so I am still working it into the daily routine. I am trying to get a lot of my blogging done in the morning before the kids wake up. But it's usually done while they are eating breakfast, napping, or after they go to bed... Still trying to work on that! 

Q: You are also a jewelry maker - how do you make time to work on it?

A: Just like the blogging, I find the time to squeeze it in. If my Hubs is home and not working on his projects, I have him watch the kids. That allows me to either get stuff made, take photos and edit them, list things on Etsy or anything else that needs to be done. I have been better about asking for his help, I use to think I could just do it all...But I can't :) 

Q: Any tips for other moms out there to keep up with their style and sanity?

A: Hmmm... I would just say be yourself I guess. I know that is hard when you are taking care of other little humans, but find the time to do those things you loved before becoming a mom. Whether its going for those jogs to clear your head, manicures and pedicure with your girlfriends, or even just a trip to the store. I am just now doing this, and I have to say I am so glad that I am. I love my little goobers, but I need that hour trip to the grocery store by myself just to clear my head. Your life isn't over, it's just begun so embrace it and make it work to your advantage! Also, DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP!!!!! We are only human, so that extra helping hand can help out a TON!! I am so glad to have amazing family members and my husband who help me out constantly!! I thank them so much for that, otherwise I would have gone COO-COO!!!