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Boogers | oh hey, friday

Link Up

7 Nov

Hey there, blog. Nice to see you.

I swear I’m not intentionally neglecting you. You see the Cotten ladies were visited by the Booger Fairy this week and, well, we’re kind of miserable around these parts.

And we’re out of Kleenex.

Screen Shot 2014-11-07 at 10.34.40 AM

We actually didn’t get out of our pajamas on Wednesday. It was that yucky. Yesterday we wiped our faces and ventured out to do a little Christmas shopping (I know. Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving? Who am I?!), and we lasted all of one store before we had to get home.

Toddlers are not very patient, FYI.

Today’s not going well either, so bear with me for another completely random Friday Five. As always, linking up with the homegirls who don’t know I exist – Karli @ September FARM and Amy @ The Farmer’s Wife. They’re adorable.

—

uno | fake id

My beloved (yet very, very stupid) IU basketball team is taking on my beloved alma mater on Monday in exhibition. DI Hoosiers v. DII Greyhounds will be no contest, but that didn’t stop me from texting my sister (a member of the student newspaper staff) to get me media credentials.

This 26-year old momma can still pull off college, right?

photo(18)

Yes, I still have my student ID. Yes, I still try to get college student discounts with it. They were stupid enough not to put a year on it. Don’t judge.

Fellow Reflector alums – think Jeanne would let that happen? I’m going with not a chance.

Also, I realize the irony in this section’s title. I’m punny.

Go ‘Hounds.

 

dos | parrot

My kid, while still not walking yet, has figured out how to mimic what we’re saying. Seriously. In the last 24 hours she’s learned “all done,” “hot,” and “uh oh” (her favorite).

Mommy better figure out how to clean up her potty mouth reeeaaallll quick.

 

tres | overboard

I typically don’t decorate for holidays, outside of Christmas. Heck I hardly decorate for that, to be honest. Tree, stockings and a purple glitter reindeer I couldn’t leave behind at Home Goods a few years back. Done.

Well, something has gotten in to me. I’ve already successfully purchased more Christmas decor this year than all of my years combined. Like, my kid has her own tree for her room. I actually raided everything red and burlap in Big Lots. Don’t tell my husband.

I blame bestie for being the queen of decor, and shaming my lack of it during last weekend’s trick-or-treating-turned-wine-night. She’ll say it was the 50 Shades of Grey, but I know she was judging me. 😉

Now to restrain myself until the day after Thanksgiving to set it all up…

 

quatro | orange elimination

I feel justified in buying new Christmas decor since I just saved my husband $400 in lighting fixtures.

A little exact-o knife action, and our horrid Halloween pendants have actually been transformed into something acceptable. Almost Pottery Barn-esque. With Edison Bulbs, damnit.

picstitchOk, so it wasn’t my idea, but I cut open my hand in the process so I take some credit for the transformation (and it is a huge improvement). Thanks to Bethany and my momma for the inspiration. 😉

 

cinco | help me help you

I’m looking for an evaluation. You see, I write this blog for fun. I blog about whatever strikes me, and that’s kind of the way I like it. But lately I’ve had a bit of writer’s block. Help me help you – what kind of posts you most enjoy reading?

Do you come here expecting to learn something (i.e. a tutorial)? Do you like to see reviews and giveaways? Do you just want me to write about my day-to-day SAHM life, or do you wish to see more structured posts with defined topics?

Do you just want to see cute pictures of #dbunny? Because that I can do.

IMG_6122

—

You can stop worrying now. The Kleenex crisis is over. My momma saved us.

She. is. a. saint.

 

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Comments

  1. Mel says

    November 7, 2014 at 12:27 pm

    I adore tour blog, and your “new” pendants. My favorite things to read about, besides your beautiful Dot… Diy around your home, the gallery wall inspired me!

    Reply
  2. Val@ChickenScratch says

    November 7, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    Ok now I’m mad. UIndy MADE Tom turn his ID in when he graduated….WTF! I could totally still be enjoying amazingness from there. I swear they had the best cheeseburgers btw. He would sneak me into the gym all the time when he is was in college so I wouldn’t have to pay for a gym membership. ahhaahah and we were too cheap for cable and internet in our apartments so we would go to the library with headphones and watch shows online all the time. #LOSERS
    I’m going the most overboard on Christmas decor this year that I ever have. I actually am not a fan of seasonal decor deep down inside (with the exception of Christmas only) but ever since kids I have been trying a lot harder. Nae thinks its SO FUN so particularly this year I’m really amping it all up!
    The Lights. WELL DONE. I personally think those are complete perfection now! I mean honestly. They are amazing!!! Huge change!
    And finally, I love reading randomness. I actually dislike blogs that are really really one tracked. See I’m like totally moody on what I like to read so my favorite blogs usually encompass a LOT of topics.

    Reply
  3. Adrian says

    November 7, 2014 at 5:57 pm

    Hey Samantha! I enjoy reading all your posts. The ones I enjoy the most though are your day to day SAHM life ones. I hope that helps.

    Reply
  4. Kristin says

    November 7, 2014 at 6:45 pm

    Haha! I was not judging you at all, dork! By the way, the next morning I noticed that the 50 shades wine cork says you.are.mine. Definitely a good one for the collection…I’m thinking valentines decor. 🙂

    Reply

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Hey there, I'm Samantha. Recovering SAHM, and aspiring competitive dance mom. I have a passion for travel, am known to say it like it is, and I most certainly do not have it all together. Currently on a journey toward self love and discovery. Join me. 2021 | Bloom

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NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio) I'm looking NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio)

I'm looking for others who feel like me. People who may have lost a piece of themselves, but are (or want to be) on a journey to re-design their lives. Let's have a book club, or dinner party, or even start an empowerment group for 30-somethings who forgot their favorite color.

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#cottentales #lifestyleblogger #momsofinstagram #momblogger #blogger #mhn #selflove #selfcare #identity #30something #travelblog #momofgirls #blog #bloggersofinstagram
This is the difference a year makes. ⬇️ 30 l This is the difference a year makes. 

⬇️ 30 lbs. ⬆️ Healthy habits. ⬇️ 4 in. of hair. ⬆️ Strength. ➕ A tattoo & a ton of self love. 

I never knew I could be this person. I’m not super athletic. I have never dieted or counted calories. I never considered myself or my health. I always have watched other women make big physical changes in their lives, but I have never felt like I was capable to do the same.

If you’re reading this, and feel the same way I used to, trust me. 

You can. 💜

(1. January 2020, 2. June 2020 (100 rides), 3. January 2021 (200 rides))

#empoweringwomen #peloton #pelotonweightloss #pelotonbike #loveyourself #fitness #fitnessjourney #cottentales #blogger #momofgirls #momsofinstagram #momblogger #lifestyleblogger #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #selfcare #selflove #selflovejourney #pelotonmom #pelotoncommunity #lovesquad #boocrew #uncomfortable #bloom
NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark Call it cli NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark

Call it cliche, but I have a word to live by this year. If I'm being honest, it actually means a lot to me. I even have some semblance of "resolutions," which are really just mantras I plan to manifest into reality... and so far I think it's working.

What's your word for 2021? What are your goals, mantras, or resolutions for this year? Let me know in the comments. 🌸 Link in bio.

#cottentales #lifestyleblogger #mommyblogger #travelblogger #newyear #2021 #quitlikeawoman #momofgirls #blogger #bloggersofinstagram #momsofinstagram #bloom #bloomwhereyouareplanted #peloton #pelotonbike #resolutions #mantra #healthyhabits #newpost #blogging
L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday R: 01/08/2021, L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday
R: 01/08/2021, or today. 

My husband took that first photo. He was being nice, and trying to celebrate my birthday. I never told him I hated it. I looked heavy, because I was. My skin was terrible - red, broken out, etc. I was anxious, and stressed (ha! The days before 2020!), and it very obviously showed.

Today I’m in the best shape since high school, which blows my mind. I am actively working every day on my skincare, my mental health, and my reactions. Do I mess up? All the time. This week even, I made major mistakes that affect more than just myself. It’s a constant work, but it’s worth doing. 

I see growth. I see a woman who is starting to feel uncomfortable, and that’s a good thing. Whatever goals you have, or path you’re attempting to journey this year, keep going. Don’t let setbacks end your fight. You can do this. 💪🏻

(Also, both daughters saw me make this image this morning. Both thought I was pregnant in the photo on the left. I definitely was not.😳)

#selflove #selfcare #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #peloton #pelotonmoms #cottentales #blogger #lifestyleblogger #travelblogger #momsofinstagram #momofgirls #bloom #keepgoing #pelotonweightloss #loveyourself
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NEW POST: Dear Samantha, We tend to speak to ours NEW POST: Dear Samantha,

We tend to speak to ourselves negatively. But, what can happen when you write nothing but good things to yourself?

I challenge you to do the same. Link in bio. 🤍

#cottentales #lifestyleblog #blogger #bloggerlife #momofgirls #momblogger #travelblogger #selflove #selfcare #lettertomyself #positivevibes #positivity #positiveenergy #loveyourself #motherhood #weightlossjourney #pelotonweightloss
NEW POST: Sunburn I challenged myself to be uncom NEW POST: Sunburn

I challenged myself to be uncomfortable this year. Sharing this? The real and raw? That's uncomfortable.

Link in bio. 🖤

#cottentales #blogger #bloggersofinstagram #lifestyleblog #momsofinstagram #momofgirls #momblogger #travelblogger #rosacea #selfconscious #selflove #real #empowerment #skincare #mentalhealth
NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio) I'm looking NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio)

I'm looking for others who feel like me. People who may have lost a piece of themselves, but are (or want to be) on a journey to re-design their lives. Let's have a book club, or dinner party, or even start an empowerment group for 30-somethings who forgot their favorite color.

Let's help each other grow. 🌿

#cottentales #lifestyleblogger #momsofinstagram #momblogger #blogger #mhn #selflove #selfcare #identity #30something #travelblog #momofgirls #blog #bloggersofinstagram
This is the difference a year makes. ⬇️ 30 l This is the difference a year makes. 

⬇️ 30 lbs. ⬆️ Healthy habits. ⬇️ 4 in. of hair. ⬆️ Strength. ➕ A tattoo & a ton of self love. 

I never knew I could be this person. I’m not super athletic. I have never dieted or counted calories. I never considered myself or my health. I always have watched other women make big physical changes in their lives, but I have never felt like I was capable to do the same.

If you’re reading this, and feel the same way I used to, trust me. 

You can. 💜

(1. January 2020, 2. June 2020 (100 rides), 3. January 2021 (200 rides))

#empoweringwomen #peloton #pelotonweightloss #pelotonbike #loveyourself #fitness #fitnessjourney #cottentales #blogger #momofgirls #momsofinstagram #momblogger #lifestyleblogger #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #selfcare #selflove #selflovejourney #pelotonmom #pelotoncommunity #lovesquad #boocrew #uncomfortable #bloom
NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark Call it cli NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark

Call it cliche, but I have a word to live by this year. If I'm being honest, it actually means a lot to me. I even have some semblance of "resolutions," which are really just mantras I plan to manifest into reality... and so far I think it's working.

What's your word for 2021? What are your goals, mantras, or resolutions for this year? Let me know in the comments. 🌸 Link in bio.

#cottentales #lifestyleblogger #mommyblogger #travelblogger #newyear #2021 #quitlikeawoman #momofgirls #blogger #bloggersofinstagram #momsofinstagram #bloom #bloomwhereyouareplanted #peloton #pelotonbike #resolutions #mantra #healthyhabits #newpost #blogging
L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday R: 01/08/2021, L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday
R: 01/08/2021, or today. 

My husband took that first photo. He was being nice, and trying to celebrate my birthday. I never told him I hated it. I looked heavy, because I was. My skin was terrible - red, broken out, etc. I was anxious, and stressed (ha! The days before 2020!), and it very obviously showed.

Today I’m in the best shape since high school, which blows my mind. I am actively working every day on my skincare, my mental health, and my reactions. Do I mess up? All the time. This week even, I made major mistakes that affect more than just myself. It’s a constant work, but it’s worth doing. 

I see growth. I see a woman who is starting to feel uncomfortable, and that’s a good thing. Whatever goals you have, or path you’re attempting to journey this year, keep going. Don’t let setbacks end your fight. You can do this. 💪🏻

(Also, both daughters saw me make this image this morning. Both thought I was pregnant in the photo on the left. I definitely was not.😳)

#selflove #selfcare #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #peloton #pelotonmoms #cottentales #blogger #lifestyleblogger #travelblogger #momsofinstagram #momofgirls #bloom #keepgoing #pelotonweightloss #loveyourself
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Mentally, I’m here. 🌊 #eleuthera #bahamas # Mentally, I’m here. 🌊 

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I was so proud of myself in that first photo, and I’m still proud of that Samantha. Steps to a better you will slowly become strides. Thanks to her, now I’m taking flight. ❤️ #selflove #selfcare #peloton #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #pelotonweightloss #pelotonmom #momofgirls #lifestyleblogger #momsofinstagram #momblogger #loveyourself #cottentales
NEW POST: Rebranding Samantha I’m focusing a lo NEW POST: Rebranding Samantha

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#cottentales #personalbranding #rebranding #blogger #lifestyleblogger #mommyblogger #momofgirls #selflove #selfdiscovery #momblogger #travelblogger

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