7 Quick Takes Friday (Take 76)

--- 1 ---

David got another job rejection yesterday.  We're having a hard time at the moment.  We tried really hard not to get our hopes up, but we just couldn't help it.  Prayers would be so appreciated.

--- 2 ---

What are you best organizing tips for small spaces?  (Are there any blogs that focus on this?)  We were very blessed by many lovely Christmas presents, but don't seem to have room for them all (we really didn't have enough room as it was before).  There just doesn't seem to be space for everything and while I could probably get rid of a few things, there are so many items that we will definitely use and need when we get our own place someday that we can't part with.

--- 3 ---

I've been working on streamlining my online experience.  Unsubscribing from email lists. Unsubscribing from blogs that I never read.  I'm working on consolidating my 5 email addresses into just two (one for the blog and one personal).  I feel like I just get SO sidetracked when I get online and I really need to focus on getting whatever I need to do done so I can get back to my family and responsibilities. 

--- 4 ---

Along the same lines as the previous quick take, I really liked this article on five simple steps for choosing your kids over your phone. It includes a really cute tutorial for "Ned the iPhone Monster" made out of a tissue box.  I don't have an iPhone so my phone's rarely a problem, but my Kindle Fire certainly is (wonder if that will fit in Ned?)

--- 5 ---

It's been a fairly quiet blog week.  It's my first week back to school after Christmas break and it's really kicking my butt.  On Monday, my legs were nearly as tired as they were on the very first day of school.  I guess I quickly get out of the habit of standing all day.  Anyway, I was able to get up a sponsor spotlight on Gina, who blogs at My Broken Fiat.  She's an awesome faithful lady, you should definitely check out her post. 

--- 6 ---

Apparently, the domain used to be a porn site.  Awful, huh?  I guess some readers couldn't get here because it was blocked at their work as "porn".  A fellow blogger found this place where you could see screenshots of domains in the past and yep, definitely porn.  I had a request to change the rating of the blog from "pornography" to "lifestyle" so hopefully that goes through soon.  It makes my skin crawl to think that my blog is even remotely related to porn.  But as blogger friend Amanda said, "That sucks that it used to be porn, but hooray for reclaiming it for a MUCH better purpose!"

--- 7 ---



"Isn't she precious?" says a mama totally in love with her little one.



For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Hope you're continuing to improve, Jen!

Sponsor Spotlight: Gina & My Broken Fiat

I am so excited to feature my newest sponsor, Gina!  I found Gina's blog, My Broken Fiat, early last year when I was directed by a fellow blogger to her post, My Darkest Secret.  It was one of the most candidly honest and heartbreaking posts I've ever read.  I knew right then that I had to hear more about this amazing woman.  Now it's your turn to learn about her, in her own words:

Hi!  My name is Gina and I laugh, craft and blog over at My Broken Fiat. 

What started out as a personal reversion diary slowly turned into a Catholic education forum, a place to share my love of girlish dangly earrings, and a haven where I have met a slew of wonderful bloggers I can happily call friends.

Drop on by.  I'd love to rope you into being a new friend!

I'm a married mother of my 3 year old son, Vincent.  Over at My Broken Fiat, I tackle all sorts of fun things like kitties (I rescue), infertility and snowflake babies, the Blessed Mother (lots on her), the struggles of marriage and the laughs that come with parenting a toddler.  I don't shy away from political or social topics, so you might see an entertaining article like this every now and again, but for the most part, I stick with sharing my passion for Catholicism with any and all who toss a smile my way.

I'm so excited to be reaching out to Mandi's Newlywed readers (or are we "Messies" now?).  Considering I've never been really promoted my page before, I was tickled when offered the chance to do so.  This will be quite the adventure for me as I'd like to connect with more folks who are interested in sharing their passion, experiences and friendship.  So really - stop by and take a look-see.  The Grinch and I would love to have you over in our neck of the 'net.  And, as an added bonus, there will be a giveaway announced this week.  Woo hoo!

Blessings and a very happy new year!

~Gina

 

My Tights & Leggings Addiction

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of No nonsense for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love leggings and tights.  In fact, I probably wear either leggings or tights five days a week.  Not only do they enable me to wear cute skirts and dresses in the winter, they are also a great fashion accessory in themselves.  I often pick a pair of leggings in the morning and style my entire outfit around them!  The various colored leggings and fun patterned tights that are now available make dressing feminine so much more fun!

I was given the opportunity to review No nonsense tights and leggings.  I didn't know which pairs I would receive (No nonsense has tons of fun varieties!) so it was beyond exciting opening up the box.  Inside was a pair of denim jeggings and black patterned tights.  Amazing, I've been looking at jeggings recently and hadn't yet made the purchase and had also been wanting some textured tights after seeing them frequently on my favorite fashion blogs.  They are both such versatile pieces.  Here's a few outfits I whipped up to go with my new tights/leggings:

 feminine with pops of color and my new textured tights

comfy cozy with my jeggings

I love the No nonsense products I tried, they were so comfortable and I will definitely be getting more No nonsense products in the future.  They are very affordable and easy to find - widely available in food & drug stores as well as mass retail stores.  (Another little-known fact about the company that I just adore is that 90% of their products are made here in the USA!)

And if that isn’t enough, No nonsense has some big news: Jill Martin is their new brand ambassador!  Jill is a huge figure in the fashion world: an Emmy Award-winning TV personality, co-author of the New York Times bestselling style guide “I Have Nothing to Wear!”, and the New York Correspondent for Access Hollywood. Her goal as brand ambassador is to help women style No nonsense’s new colorful and high-impact tights and leggings through a series of online vignettes and providing fashion tips via Twitter.

Connect with No nonsense on Facebook or Twitter to learn more about their huge variety of fun styles and new partnership with Jill Martin.

7 Quick Takes Friday: New Year's Resolutions

If you missed it, I recently had a complete blog redesign (since my last "Quick Takes" two weeks ago), including a new name and domain.  This used to be "Catholic Newlywed" but I'm not longer a newlywed (yep, still Catholic!).  It just didn't "fit" our life anymore.  I've been promising a post explaining the change and why I chose the new name, but I think it's pretty self explanatory, so that post may never actually materialize.  Don't worry, all the past posts are still here, I'm still the same blogger, just got a new name and fancy new look!  

Anyway, on to my Quick Takes.  This week, I'm posting my New Year's Resolutions.  Instead of being really specific and eventually being really upset that I failed, my resolutions are taking two forms this year: what I want to do MORE and what I want to do LESS. 

--- 1 ---

Read MORE.

In addition to just reading more, my goal is for every other book to be specifically aimed at improving my in my vocation as wife and mother.  Books on faith, parenting, how-tos, and managing a household all fit perfectly into that category.  Although you can make the argument that fun beach reads (or even classics or war history) can improve my life (and they certainly do) they don't have direct impact on my vocation, so they have to be put in the "other" 50%. 

--- 2 ---

Exercise MORE.

--- 3 ---

Pray MORE.

In addition: Pray the Rosary every day. Get to adoration once in a while (I believe I went all of 0 times last year.  Eek!).

--- 4 ---

Spend MORE time with family.

This means actual time and attention, not just being in the same room while I'm on the computer or watching TV together.  

--- 5 ---

Be MORE social.

I was given the enormous gift of moving home closer to many old friends (and making some new ones) but I've continued to be quite the hermit.  Attempt to spend time on at least one friends a week, whether getting together, talking on the phone, or writing her a letter.

--- 6 ---

Get MORE organized.

--- 7 ---


LESS social media.

(As I write this post on my blog and will promote it on Facebook and Twitter.)  No more than four blog posts a week (quality, not quantity).  If there is something of higher priority that needs to be done, the computer is OFF. Did you get that? More social, less social media.  Funny how those are opposites, huh?



Many prayers for Jen & thanks to Hallie for hosting!

What I Wore New Year's Eve

I've really enjoyed linking up my holiday outfits, so early this evening I asked around to see who was hosting What I Wore New Year's Eve.  Turns out, no one was, but Katie graciously offered to take the helm and we have a link-up after all.  Without further ado...

 

Skirt: Mudd | Jacket: Mudd
Purple Skinnies: Loft | Heels: Guess

 

When I bought these purple skinnies, they were such a good deal I couldn't pass them up (only $10! from Loft!) but I wasn't sure I would wear them often.  Nope, wear them ALL. THE. TIME.  When I opened this shirt as a Christmas present from my aunt, I knew I had to devise some New Year's Eve activity so I could wear it.  With sequins, it was just screaming New Year's Eve.  I bought this jacket at Kohl's a few days ago (less than $5!) and never imagined wearing it with my skinnies.  But one of my favorite fashion bloggers The Evangelista has been raving about monochromatic outfits recently and I thought I would give it a try.  I'm actually kind of smitten with this outfit and only wish I had more excuses to wear it.

David has to work at 4:30 am tomorrow, so we went to Mass tonight.  I love the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God for so many reasons.  As a mother, I find myself clinging to the Blessed Mother in difficult times.  I love starting a New Year at the feet of the Mother of Our Lord.  And last year, our baby girl was baptized on this Holy Day of Obligation.  I also adore singing the many lovely songs dedicated to Our Mother.  We sang one of my favorites today, Hail Mary, Gentle Woman, but there are so, so many more.  (Who doesn't love "Breath of Heaven"?)

To tone this down a little bit for Mass, I wore my flats (Merona).

After Mass, we dropped the babe off with my parents and headed out for dinner and I slipped into my heels. 

 I absolutely love these.  I got them as my bridesmaid shoes for my sister-in-law's wedding and they are just amazing.  Not the most comfortable, but I get a million compliments on them.  Beauty is pain, right?

Anyway, after several attempts to go to dinner were thwarted by the dreaded words "reservations only", we finally found a place with a one hour wait.  We were out way later than we planned.  Poor David will only get about four and a half hours sleep if he's lucky.  I hope it was worth the great date night.  It reminds me of our first New Year's together, which also happened to be our first married New Year's.  We went do an early bird dinner and then snuggled up together to watch the ball drop.  I don't really remember what we did last year, but we were staying here visiting my parents.  Having a newborn and putting on a baptism party that day, I'm positive we didn't stay up until midnight.  

 Lucia had a little too much of the bottle tonight, and like many New Year's celebrators, she passed out.

She didn't make it to midnight.  Didn't even make it to nine o'clock.