Finally Friday!

Friday finally made it here! Here's my photo dump from the week. 

**Don't forget I still have openings for you to get something specially made by me with pay it forward.**

My DH and I had a date night and got to experience the delicious-ness of chocolate popcorn ... seriously good!

Spent a little time with my good pal Diet Coke this week

Rode our bikes to the park

Last run before the race on Saturday. I had to break down and wear long sleeves, it was cold!

I chased down the Wienie-mobile, it was parked in front of the Hilton Hotel. Keepin' it classy Hilton!

I see apple pie in our future ... yum!

Linking up with Life Rearranged

Pay it forward

I saw this from Desirae @ Going with the flow and after reading about so many bloggers that are dealing with mean comments I thought this was the perfect way to bring some happiness to the blogging world.

It was started by Mandi @ Debonair Bandit and the basic premise is that the first three people who comment on this post will get some sort of item from me as long as they agree to do the same for 3 more people.

The rules:

+The first three people to comment on this post will receive a little gift - something personal from me to you.

+I'll create something unique to share with the first three people to comment on this post.

+But in order to receive your present you have to play along. Spread the love on your own blog promising to send a little special something to the first three people who comment on your post. 

+You get 72 hours to re post, or I'll have to move on to the next person.

+Please only comment if you're willing to pay it forward.

-If you want to receive something unique and self-made from me in the mail and if you're willing to do the same for others, leave a comment below! Please leave your email address so that I can contact you directly! And blog URL so that I and others can visit your blog!

Even if you don't want to participate consider doing something nice for someone else, it will make you feel good. Try it!

Insta-Friday

Happy Friday! In fact it's Insta-Friday ... here's a look at my week via Instagram.

There was an explosion of play-dough fun happening this week

Bowling fun! We all played with bumpers, my score was amazing - ha!

I partook in some Colts beer drinking, hey we finally won a game!

Silly girls. Nana & PawPaw sent new fall clothes, but of course the box is always more fun.

Linking up with Life Rearranged

A new look

I've never been too fussy over my hair. It's just hair and it will grow back. It's been every natural color plus some unnatural ones as well. (Yes as scary as it sounds I was blonde in middle school and no I won't share pictures) I got a coupon from Vocalpoint for a free box of temporary (only lasts 28 days/washes) of hair color. Not being afraid of trying something new I said, why not!

I picked out a box of Dark Warm Brown, which is actually much darker than my natural color. Then I went to work!

Start to finish this is how it turned out. Light/medium brown hair to start ... a gooey mess on my head ... turned into a dark brown ... my smiling face to say I'm happy with the results. This would be a great solution for first time hair-colorer (is that a word??). The thing I liked the best is on the back of the instructions is a chart that tells you what permanent box number/color to use if you like the results from the temporary hair color. I feel like I'm more ready for fall with my dark hair. But you won't find me wishing for winter any time soon or ever.

*I was given a free box of hair color from Vocalpoint, but all opinions posted are my own. If you haven't signed up on Vocalpoint I recommend it. You get coupons and product samples to try out. Go check it out here.

Falling for fashion

I have a terrible time shopping for myself. I can tell you what I like and what I don't like, but to actually go out and buy something seems like a disaster every time. The fit is wrong, the price is wrong, the color is wrong. Something always seems wrong and I walk out of the store with nothing. I don't have a problem picking out things I like, I mean my Style board is 192 pins and growing! Here's some of my favorite fall pins lately ...

This outfit shouldn't be hard to recreate. I already own jeans so there's a chunk of the puzzle :)
See the pin

Again, own the jeans. But can I really pull off the blazer while chasing the kids?
See the pin

Would need some wide-leg jeans for this. I also need some good long sleeve layering shirts.
See the pin

I made an attempt at dressing for fall ... what do you think? Success or failure? (And yes sorry it's a bathroom shot)

Fall Book List

Ever since I got my Kindle Fire for a late Christmas present I've gotten into reading (if my mom read this she might faint). I've been known to only read magazines so this is a whole new territory for me! Here's what's on my reading list.

1. 50 Shades of Grey -- I'm about half way through this book. I get the hype and am just sorry I didn't jump on the bandwagon sooner :) UPDATE: Finished the book, now I'm on the waiting list for #2.
2. I've Got Your Number -- I recently read the Shopaholic series so figured I would enjoy the latest from Sophie Kinsella. UPDATE: I finally made the list at the library and I raced through this book in 2 days. LOVED it! I liked this so much better than the Shopaholic series.
3. Beautiful Ruins -- Saw this on someone else's must-read list (sorry I can't remember who) and thought I would give it a try. UPDATE: Finished the book, loved how all the stories/chapters intertwined. Recommend! 
4. Death by Inferior Design -- I have no clue about this one, I just saw it on the library site and thought "this might be fun!". UPDATE: Finished the book, it was fun to try and figure out the mystery that was unfolding. I recommend!
5. The Tipping Point -- I've seen a few other bloggers posting about this one. I think I'll give it a try. UPDATE: Finished the book, sort of mind blowing. Small things can make a big difference.

Do you have any other suggestions? I prefer the light-hearted chick-lit because I don't have to think too much. However I did just read Wild which was pretty intense (Oprah didn't steer me wrong there!).

UPDATE: Check out my Winter Book List to see what I'll be reading the next few months.

Friday's Favorites from Instagram

Favorite Trend

I rocked the braid trend this week

Favorite Barefoot Moment

Seeing little J's footprint in the sand at Lake Michigan

Favorite Photo of the Week

Watching the sun go down over Lake Michigan

Favorite Surprise of the Week

My DH emptied the dishwasher! I was left speechless.

Linking up with Life Rearranged and Bargain Blonde

The Fact Is ...

Fact: I wonder if 4 day work weeks are a good thing, there's the same amount of work to cram into a shorter amount of time. I'm not going to deny my love of 3 day weekends though. Fact: I ripped the wallpaper down in our bathroom over 3 weeks ago and I haven't done a thing to it since. It's a bit of a disaster in there. Damaged walls, no outlet covers, no towel bar. Yikes! Fact: I spend too much time looking at Pinterest and blogs while at work (like right now). Fact: I need a babysitter for Friday night so my DH and I can go on a double date. We could take the kids (since we are going to our favorite restaurant), but sometimes we just need a break!

Linking up with Nicholl this week from The Chiffon Diary. Which by the way she has the cutest online shop and I can't wait to get my new skirt - hello it was only $10!!