April 27th, 2011

I don't watch much news, but a call from my dad at 5:30 that morning told me that this was going to be a serious day...I pulled my babies in the bed downstairs and waited for what was to be 4 Tornadoes barreling down our Interstate, a few LONG minutes later, with the green light and sleepy eyed we crawled back up the stairs to start what would be a horrible day for our neighbors. We spent the day at my parents house waiting for updates on the storm from a little radio and no power.

I really didn't take things serious until our news told us an f5 Tornado had just ripped through Tuscaloosa and was headed our way and would be here in 30 minutes.
We headed downstairs thinking that it was just a normal tornado drill in April.
Nobody expected it to be like this...

to see more pictures, go here.

These pictures were taken not more than 15 minutes from my house...So Sad. So many people have lost everything. With the death tole around 200 right now it's sure to get higher as they dig through the rubble...people need so much help now.
I don't know how or why this storm that was on the ground for a record amount of time decided to raise up and weaken when it was over us, but I praise God for it.

I got the call that our church was collecting some things and I was running around the house trying to collect whatever I could, tired of Cole asking for the millionth time what we were doing....I just respond with a real quick "Going to Save people", The heart of a child is SO precious! I found Cole in his room a few minutes later looking frantically through his room, I asked him what he was doing and he said, "looking for his superhero cape, to go save people".
If you are looking for ways you can help go to this website.

Most of all PLEASE continue to pray for the people of these communities that have lost loved ones.

In awe of the One who calms the storms.

Abbs

What's up Spring 2011?

CONSERVATIVE?! sounds crazy, huh? But true! They say that when a country goes in hard economic crisis that people tend to go more conservative with their clothes, It's like their way of saying, "I'm frugal and safe". HMM, so does that mean we have to throw out all of our skinny jeans? Don't worry, they will still be in, But HELLO 70's!

Wide leg and high wasted pants are SO going to be a must in your wardrobe this Spring, but along with that Neutral, neutral, and more NEUTRAL!
(which I hate because those colors really look awful on me!)

Another option is Citrus colors (which also looks terrible on this brunette!)

Now this can be tough for me, I'm a deep jewel tone girl:)
There are ways to get this look without going total designer!
I have always been a bargain shopper (I really can't spend over $15 on one single item, especially if it is an accessory!) I pride myself on doing this too....It's like cutting coupons for me, a sweet little high!
So where do I go?? Target clearance rack, Old Navy clearance section, walmart, forever 21, and sometimes TJ max. I love to Layer or switch outfits up, I will wear one outfit one day and completely change the same outfit up the next day for a completely different look! try it, it's like a game for me (how many outfits can I get out of 5 things), LOL!

My SIL,(my husbands sister)Keriann lives in Portland, Maine, where she writes for a Local fashion blog, Mainly Mara.
(like a local groupon, she tells you where to find great deals and coupons).
Check her out here if your anywhere close to her area! She is great to read and has ALWAYS had a very stylish look!

just a few more insights....

Oscar De La Renta says
fitted waists and full skirts

Calvin Klein says
head to toe white!

Ralph Lauren says
Lace!

and Marc Jacobs says
romantic vintage (now THIS I REALLY like:)

Now be creative and get these looks for less!!

Abbs*

Nutritionally Healthy...

My Sister (married one of my 3 brothers) is a registered Dietitian. Over the last couple of years she has discovered some issues with her health that caused her to go strictly to a gluten free diet. She inspires me to be healthy because she is so committed to it. My mom, for those of you who don't know, also had some issues with breast abnormalities. The Doctor's told her that she would either have to take pills that were over a 1,000 dollars for just 3 months supply, or go All organic...SO obviously she went all organic.

This has really made my family more aware of what is in our foods and how bad it can be for our over all health and longevity. It costs a lot of money to go organic (how ironic) but it pays off in the long run because you won't pay for all the expense in doctor bills later on. It makes perfect sense to me, but while Brent and I don't have the finances to go there just yet, we are trying to make changes in the way I shop at the store. I don't keep sugar stuff at the house, like candy or brownies. We also figured out that if the only thing we have to drink is juice, milk, or water...we will have to pick one of those:). The boys have probably never had more than 5 OZ of soda (not counting sprite) in their life. I've also never really been a big germ freak and my boys RARELY get sick.....I heard that we clean up behind our kids so much that we are wiping away germs that are great for building up their immune system.
you can read all about that here.

Whole foods is the only thing close to us.....SAD!

BUT I'm a Trader Joes Junkie:) I love them and the closest one is in Atlanta! Aldi is affiliated with them, so until I can buy stock in Trader Joes or afford Gas to get to Whole Foods, we will just have to buy at ALDI...(Not everything at ALDI is all natural, you just have to look on the back.)


Kristen, my SIL, can be followed @GFreeDietitian on twitter or check out her site (coming soon) http://www.naturallyfreerd.com/.
My family is no fun anymore.......JK I was surprised at how much TASTIER food can be when it is all natural. I'm sure knowing it is healthy plays a HUGE part in that though!:)
I will go ahead and say though that when I met Brent I hated his eating habits (because they were not fun) we would go eat in the cafeteria and he would fill a bowl with yogurt, cottage cheese, granola, and......wait for it......wait for it....TUNA! Nasty!! but so good for you! He would literally hold his nose while he ate it....now THAT is dedication, meanwhile I chowed down on Marriott's Pizza!:) He will also eat tomatoes like apples....Cole is just like him:) For me texture is EVERYTHING! If it feels weird in my mouth I refuse to eat it, BUT I'm learning to get better and make healthy choices for my family.....It is definitely something you take one day at a time.

HEALTHY SHOPPING!

Abbs*