Category: Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites {03.11.22}

Posted on by Lauren Lane

I’ve got my fingers crossed that this Saturday is our last super cold day of this season. I’m eager to get back outside with the boys and go on walks, go to the zoo, and all of those other fun activities we’ve missed this winter!

We had such a great week. It started off going back to in-person church for the first time in almost two years. Harrison was so pleased to be dressed up ”handsome,” and several kind ladies at church commented on his cute-ness, which sent him into the ultimate combination of shy-ness and admiration, and it’s ending with a little self-care for myself. I’m going to get a massage to start the weekend off right!

If I decorate for spring, it will surely come to stay. It was time to put away my ’winter’ decor, and refresh with faux stems, colorful accents, and a new spring doormat. I picked up this one from my local garden nursery, but there’s a similar one HERE.

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Friday Favorites {03.04.22}

Posted on by Lauren Lane

Work was busier this week than it’s been the last few, but getting outside for a walk a couple times this week in the beautiful weather really made it all seem very bearable! Nathan and I finished the Yellowstone prequel mini-series, 1883, this week. It was really good! And we’re already looking forward to the next mini-series they are doing about the Duttons. The boys had a great week, too. Playing outside after daycare with neighbors made everyone happier, and more eager to welcome in spring. I’ve gathered up some of my favorites from this week. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Let me tell you a story about our oldest. Nathan got home late from work one evening last week, and while he was having some dinner, I entertained the boys playing hide and seek. Harrison tends to hide in the same places over and over again, so I didn’t pay much attention as he ran off in the direction of our bedroom to hide as I started to count.

And then Baby J and I started “seeking”…all the normal spots. Still seeking, still playing along. At some point, Nathan finished his dinner, and says, “you can’t find Harrison?”

After ten minutes, no. I still couldn’t find Harrison anywhere. Nathan couldn’t find Harrison anywhere. Finally, out of desperation and it being way past bath time, I said, “Harrison. I can’t find you. Come out and I’ll give you a Reese’s.”

And a little voice from our bedroom yelled, “I can’t get out! I’m stuck! But I still want a Reese’s!” We ran in there and found him in the bottom drawer of my dresser, smiling so pleased with himself.

“That was a good hiding place, right?”

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Friday Favorites {02.25.22}

Posted on by Lauren Lane

The world feels heavy again today. I find myself going from shocked and disbelief at what is happening in Ukraine. I think often about how scary it must be to be there right now. To one day be going about your every day business, and the next to be living in fear. It’s heart breaking. Maddening. And just wrong. I pray for the world’s response now.

I had written these Friday Favorites earlier this week. Before all of the madness happening in eastern Europe started. I do want to share them, as they have brought me joy this past week. But it felt wrong to not speak to the immeasurable pain happening now in Ukraine, and how helpless and sad it’s making me feel today.

Have a good weekend, friends. Hopefully one that looks a bit brighter than things do right now.

We celebrated two birthdays in our family last weekend: Nathan’s and my mom’s. The boys looooove birthdays. The singing, the cake, the presents that they rip open to help. What’s not to like??

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Friday Favorites {02.18.22}

Posted on by Lauren Lane

Who else is dealing with weather that can’t make up its mind? I was walking Sawyer outside on Tuesday, and Thursday woke up to snow. About this time every year, my attitude towards snow shifts. I’m all good with it up until about February 15. But once we’ve had that first taste of spring-like weather, which always happens around mid-February, I just can’t mentally go back to winter mode.

Hope you all are staying warm wherever you are today! Let’s grab a cup of coffee and jump into some Friday Favorites.

This weekend is Nathan’s birthday! He’s the best daddy and most amazing husband. The boys and I just love him so darn much, and can’t wait to celebrate him! Adult birthdays are so much more fun with the joy of the kids around. 😊

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Friday Favorites {01.07.22}

Posted on by Lauren Lane

I always feel like I deserve a pat on the back for making it through the first full week back at work after the holidays. The temperatures finally dropped to winter cold, and I’ve struggled finding the motivation this week. We’re looking forward to the Chiefs v. Broncos game this weekend at our house. Nathan is at least excited that his game will actually be shown here in the Kansas City market. Ha. Hope you all have a great weekend ahead!

I love Christmas decor, but I looooove the blank slate and uncluttering that comes with taking all the decorations down. Anybody else get a thrill over how big their house seems with all the Christmas decor coming down?

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Friday Favorites {12.17.21}

Posted on by Lauren Lane

I feel myself getting caught up this time of year in trying to have the perfect Christmas. Mostly ideas of peaceful cookie decorating, picturesque holiday movie watching on the couch with the whole family and a fire going, and doing all of the festive things like visiting Santa, looking at lights. And then there are little things too, for me, like wrapping each present perfectly. And I can find myself, if I don’t catch it early enough, with these high expectations of what this time looks like for our little family.

The holidays, and pretty much all special events, are better when I lower my expectations. When it doesn’t go perfectly, I don’t want my kids remembering a mom that was flustered and upset. I want them to remember these special celebrations as moments of joy strung together.

So as we head into this holiday week, I pray for you, friend, a week where we let go of the reigns a little bit. We lower the expectations of our children’s reactions and actions, the perfect picturesque holiday scenes we have in our minds, and remember that the best thing we can give our kids is a happy, joyful mom in the chaos and mess of it all. (And then let’s just all plan to have a virtual glass of wine together at the end of the night. ☺️)

Happy Friday, friends. And Merry Christmas week! ~Lauren

We went and visited Santa a couple weeks ago. I wasn’t sure how this would go, honestly. I was prepared for tears. Harrison hadn’t visited Santa since he was 1, and obviously has no memory of it.

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Friday Favorites {12.10.21}

Posted on by Lauren Lane

AHHH! This month is FLYING! How does that always happen?? Anyone else have an elf on a shelf that this seems like a great idea?

Absolute favorite from the past few weeks was being able to have Thanksgiving with family again this year. It was absolute chaos, and absolutely beautiful. We had so much fun getting to see everyone!

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Friday Favorites {11.12.21}

Posted on by Lauren Lane

Fall is really showing off here in Kansas City this week! As I’m writing this, the rain is supposed to be coming in any minute, and I know the leaves will really start coming down. Sawyer and I got out for one last walk before the rain with all the pretty leaves. Also, can you believe that Thanksgiving is only two weeks away?! The holidays always seem to just fly by at the end of the year. It has me thinking about how this time last year, I was finishing up my maternity leave. Time flies, friends.

You guys know I have a real thing for Bravo reality TV. And this is just satisfying every single messy bit about my love. Are you all watching this new series?? I mean, really what could be better than cast members from my two favorite reality shows coming together?

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Friday Favorites 10.22.21

Posted on by Lauren Lane

I had the realization this week, as I worked through scheduling end of the year doctor appointments and PTO for work, that the holidays are coming super fast. Halloween is next weekend. Thanksgiving only a few weeks after that. And then apparently we need to already have our Christmas shopping done because nothing is going to show up on time if we wait until December. I’m sure that’s partially true…but does anyone else wonder how much we should ACTUALLY be concerned versus how much is a bit overstated?

A little bit of home decor, a lot a bit of babies, and some food for your Friday Favorites this week! Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

All of the Halloween and fall decor is making my days so happy! I shared a full tour of our home decorated for fall and Halloween earlier this week!

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Lauren’s Friday Fall Favorites {09.17.21}

Posted on by Lauren Lane

It’s been what feels like forever since I’ve done a Friday favorites post. Between our Black Hills vacation, and just having other things I wanted to talk about on here, I’ve been accumulating so many good fall favorites that I MUST share with you ASAP.

Trader Joe’s has their AMAZING fall one-wick candles out now! Honeycrisp apple and vanilla pumpkin. This is how I looked as I FILLED MY WHOLE BASKET with them…

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