oooh la la...

alternative earth clothing!!!!

sharing with you a new little company that i found through the yoga studio where i practice;)  i love these clothes and can't wait to get more of them=) they are doing good things--check them out online.  here are the items in my shopping cart...

happy weekend!!

simplify...washing my hair

my husband and i were talking one day about ways we could save money in our everyday lives.  i had been wanting to try some homemade products for a while and i thought this would be the perfect opportunity.  slowly i researched, then implemented different products into our everyday lives and i am thrilled with the results.  its is amazing to think about the amount of money we spent on products  we didn't need and learn about the harmful chemicals they were bringing into our home.  i would like to share with you what i have found in a little series called...SIMPLIFY.  Each week i will bring you something new that has inspired and worked well for me and my family.

it all started over 5 months ago when i finally took the plunge and used all my shampoo and conditioner and haven't purchased another expensive bottle from my salon.  about a year ago a friend of mine told me about how she only washes her hair once a week.  i was shocked because her hair always looks nice and never greasy.  i was intrigued and kept asking questions.  what shampoo and conditioner do you use???   her answer shocked me...baking soda and vinegar!!!!!  crazy!!!!!  i asked her all the details and was super excited to try it!!

i purchased a 13 pound bag of baking soda ($8) and the largest container of vinegar (just over $2)  i could find at our local costco-like store.  i know it is cheaper at costco but our closest costco store is 3 hours away.

what i do:

mix baking soda and water in a tupperware to desired consistency (i like mine to be a thick paste).  place lid on tupperware and place in shower.  make sure that you use a wide tupperware, i made the mistake of putting my first batch in a jar that i couldn't reach my hand into!!  ooooops!!!!  wash hair with soda paste (it will be a little weird at first but i promise you will get used to it=)  rinse your hair completely with water before using vinegar.  baking soda and vinegar when mixed create a little volcano like eruption =)  i keep a cup in the shower next to the vinegar and pour about 1/8th of a cup in the bottom of the cup.  i then fill the cup with water and rinse my hair and then rinse again with plain water.

its amazing how soft your hair will be and no you won't smell like vinegar all day.  i never smell it and have never had anyone tell me they smell it=)  i am unable to only wash once a week but twice a week works just fine for me.  another bonus is my shower never gets dirty because there is absolutely no soap buildup!!!  woo hoo!!!!!

give it a try and let me know what you think=)
happy hair washing!!

believe...

as i begin to step back into my blog, i sit and think of the path i will follow.  it all starts with a new name and will follow with new ideas and new horizons that i have explored.  the word "believe" describes so many aspects of my life and suits this path perfectly.  i am so excited to share this new journey with you.  
kelley 

saying goodbye

i have decided to take a little break from my corner of the world.  not sure how long my break will be, but my plan is to come back with a new look and new ideas. have a wonderful summer and we will see you soon;)

kelley

yum

energy bites...aka...yummy balls!!!!

a friend of mine found this amazing little recipe on pinterest and it has become a staple in my house for the last month.  yummmmmmmm!!!!!!

here is the original recipe found on pinterest, but i have made a few changes each time i make them.

these taste fabulous with almond butter instead of peanut butter, chia seeds instead of flaxseed, agave nectar instead of honey, and carob chips instead of chocolate chips!!!

we are in love with them at work and there the name was changed to yummy balls!!!!  

enjoy

monday loves...whoaaaaa

hello sunny monday morning!!!  so happy to see the sun after the clouds covered our sky for the last week or so.  life has been a little crazy around here as school comes to an end next week and the activities of summer are filling our minds.  we only have about 13 saturdays in our summer up here in alaska, so, as you can imagine, each one of them is sacred.  i have so many things i would like to share with you, its just finding the time to sit and type on the computer.  heres to a new week and a happy sunny monday loves to you all.

here are some pics from our walk to the river a few weeks ago.  the snow is all melted now and the birds are chirping...such a wonderful sound after a LONG winter.

little lucas

meet little lucas!!  isn't he the cutest!!  well, i was so thrilled when his mom asked me to take his 6 month photos!!  he is one of the happiest babies!! 

HAPPY MONDAY

senior

with graduation fast approaching, i wanted to share with you my nephew.  i had so much fun working with him on his senior pictures and i am so proud of him.  he will be attending college in the fall and will play both football and baseball.  

congrats!!!

monday loves...life lately

life has been full of all sorts of stuff lately. the above picture is of my husband and i at my work weekend party.  we go to a small little artsy town about an hour and a half away, stay at a hotel thats right on the ocean with amazing views, have dinner, and laugh ALOT!!!!  i work for an amazing family who takes such good care of me.  i work full time, but i don't miss any of my kids events.  i am so grateful!  

speaking of the kiddos...they are keeping us running all over the place.  our daughter is a competitive gymnast working out 15 hours a week.  she is so focused and loves what she does.  i admire her dedication and hard work.  

my husband is coaching our sons indoor soccer team right now and then shortly he will start a competitive soccer league.  

spring is in the air and i have been outside walking with my workout friend. it has been so nice to see the ground again and feel the warmth of the sunshine.  i have been waiting for this for too long, so glad it is finally here!!!

i am trying some new recipes that i will share soon.

hope you are all doing great...happy monday!!

Friday Feet....

rachel outside in california watching her kids ride bikes!!

me in alaska with my spring time pedicure!!!

anthro inpiration

i love anthropologie--who doesn't????  here are a few of my favorites from my time on their website this week.  i try to look at it each week to get ideas and see if there is anything i can't live without!!!

happy monday

happy...

Easter!!!!

FRIDAY FEET!!!!!!

rachel in california watching her husband and kids ski

me in alaska on my front porch--the snow has started melting and the temps have been in the 40's!!!

happy friday

welcome to my closet

its not too fancy or organized, but i love it and it holds some of my most favorite things.  my clothes!!!   i love clothes-i always have!!!  but its time....time to clean out what i don't need!!!!  here is my cozy little closet before the big clean!!

cleaning the clutter

a couple of months ago i went to dinner with a great friend.  we hadn't had any time together to sit, and visit with each other so a dinner out was just what we needed.  we had a great time catching up and at the end of our dinner she gifted me this book.  i hadn't heard of it and i honestly hadn't read in anything in quite some time.  not because i don't like to read but because i just run out of time in the day.  

the next day i opened the book and began reading the first chapter.  i loved it from the moment i began reading and couldn't wait to read more.  its been slow going for me, just a few pages a night, but i LOVE this book.  its motivating in all aspects of my life and i am so inspired by her writing.

after reading the first few pages of this book i decided that i was going to work on my own happiness project.  i know it is going to be slow and i am not going to rush through the book. i want to take it all in and really work on her ideas.  so i sat down and made a list, here is my beginning of my very own happiness project.

my list: cleaning the clutter

i am going to clean out our house and go through everything we own.  every drawer, cabinet, closet and garage bin.  clutter is a big stress in my life and i never seem to have the time to clean it out, so i am going to make time.  everything that we don't need will go!!!

1.  starting with my bedroom, closet and bathroom.  this is a room that is neglected for sure.  we are never in our room except to shower and sleep.

2.  the closet under the stairs!!  oh my goodness this is the space where i throw all sorts of stuff.  open the door throw it in and forget about it!!!!  it has to be cleaned next!!

3.  laundry room and kitchen

4.  kids rooms (with help from the kids themselves.  i think its great for them to learn how to get rid of things they don't use anymore and take it to our local charity)

5. my work space

6.  garage (this will require lots of help from my husband) 

there it is---my first list!!!!  

happy tuesday

monday loves...spring break

today was the first day back to school after spring break.  we were all sad to say goodbye to a week off of the routine and our time together.  here are a few pics from our time away.  

we spent four days away and the sun was so nice to come out and shine for us everyday but one.

the view from our room

loving her favorite greek pizza

my boys

my daughter and i watching a college gymnastics meet--so fun!!

happy monday

im ready

for spring

its still very much winter up here in the last frontier.  we still have so much snow to melt and i am guessing we will be well into april before its all gone.  i am so ready for sunshine, grass, and an open sunroof in the car!!!!  i hope you are seeing signs of spring in your corner of the world.

happy sunday