We are two days post Halloween already and before I dive fully into my favorite month of the year and then my favorite season...I just had to share Ella's Halloween pictures this year.

She deserves an award for making her mom's life super easy - on an every day basis but more so for the fact that she decided to dress up as a snowman AGAIN this year for Halloween). I mean could I have gotten any luckier?

She literally wore the exact same outfit, tights and all except there were four specific details that were different from last year's snowman costume:
1. she wore black boots this year
2. she forgot to wear her white fingerless gloves
3. she wore "space buns" this year instead of long pony tails.

and last but not least in any way....SHE GREW UP TOO MUCH!
How does that even happen? You'd think I'd be used to this by now seeing as how I have two older daughters. Nope! It's still mind-blowing.

Go back and look at last year's photos RIGHT HERE and you'll see what I'm talking about. *tears*

She cracks me up with her random poses and silly faces. I do not ask her to do any of this. She just does it. *giggling*

Of course her American Girl dressed up again too.
Neither Ella nor her "Little Ella" doll seemed to grow in size at all. *laughing*
Although I can't wait for her to grow into those teeth of hers. *wink*
This is always an awkward teeth stage, isn't it!?

It was definitely different this year...trick or treating in a new neighborhood with new friends.
Even though she missed Halloween night with her best friend, I was so glad Piper, a girl from her class and from our neighborhood, invited her to walk around with their 20+ group of kids. We must've walked 5 miles and Ella came home with 5 lbs of candy...1 pound for every mile I guess? (way too much is all I know).

Anyway, tomorrow is my birthday so I wanted to squeeze this post in before I spend the day doing whatever I want...pedicure...shopping for a copper tea kettle, maybe a birthday nap? Not sure yet, I just know I plan on really taking advantage of it being a special day. Ha!!

Love you friends!! xoxo
Jess

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Who's been waiting on the Whole30 verdict?
Remember I told you J and I did a Whole30 together starting on October 1st...so we successfully just finished on the 30th. And remember I told you it was a friendly competition between the two of us...and that I vowed I was going to smash him?
Well...we weighed in on the 31st and he beat me by 1/2 a pound. DANG iT!!

But truth be told, I found a bottle a "Lose Weight" pills he'd been hiding so he's a total cheater. Ha!
He claims they were nothing but "vegetable" pills and that they were "all natural" and that "Oprah endorsed them"....are you kidding me? I know he'll read this so I'm making sure to casually mention it before I congratulate him on his big win! *wink*

So congrats Jay!! You lost 8 pounds and I lost 7.5 - which I was disappointed with since I lost 11 the first time we ever did this. BUT...I'm totally celebrating anyway and I'm still planning on sticking to my healthy eating plan at least 6 days a week...giving myself a little cheat day. But would you believe I still haven't had a lick of sugar...and it's been 3 days...and it was even Halloween people!! So proud of me! *wink*

TIMEOUT FROM PACKING

In the middle of bubble wrap, packing paper, stacked cardboard boxes and empty walls...
Ella and I managed to sneak away for a bit from all of the moving preparations in order for her to do some modeling for our favorite local fashion boutique...The Secret Garden.

A new shipment of beautiful dresses in Ella's size have arrived and they needed a model!
As you may remember, Ella and I have a favorite tradition of going to The Secret Garden and picking out an extra special dress for the Daddy Daughter Dance held at her school every year. (see this post and this post). psst....I still need to post the photos from this year's dance. *covering eyes*

So, it didn't take much convincing for Ella to agree to an afternoon of trying on dresses and striking some poses. Here are some of my favorites...

Ella was thrilled to be a model for the afternoon...

and I was happy to get out of packing for a few hours.

Hope you all are doing fantastic!!

I've missed you and I'm really looking forward to getting back to some consistent blogging once we have moved and get settled a bit.

Stay tuned and keep up with me on Instagram in between blog posts.

xoxo,
Jess

KEEPiNG iT REAL

My entire world is about to change with our move less than 7 days away! Eeks!!

I am seriously a tossed salad of emotions. 

On one hand I'm super excited about what this adventure has in store for me personally, as well as

the magic and growth that is sure to come for my family...especially my two older daughters who are staying behind. *tears*

On the other hand...a mother is not supposed to leave her children, right?
The children are supposed to leave the nest and move away from the mother.
Although Clara turns 21 on Sunday and Ema is 18, this "moving away from them" thing feels so incredibly awkward.

And of course, there's apprehension and uncertainly as it's going to be quite an adjustment living a couple of hours away in an unfamiliar town without the comfort of having family and friends close by.

A new chapter for all of us that's for sure. *more tears* 

I really am putting my faith + trust in He who knows best and who's plans are far greater than my own.

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ELLA STYLE | Gap Kids and Baby Sale :: My Picks for Ella

Okay…so I got an email from Gap announcing their Kids and Baby Sale starting today through September 9th. I wanted to share a couple of the things I picked for Ella because they are just. too. cute.

I got that cute Floral Tie Belt Dress in French Vanilla (above), the Denim Jacket (above) and the Fox and Balloons shirt (below).

I think the Oatmeal Tights OR the Corduroy Leggings will go great under the Floral Tie Dress when it cools off here in Florida. (IF it cools off here in Florida).

And Ella is going to FREAK when she sees the Fox and Balloons shirt. She is seriously all about foxes ever since spotting one on a trip to Illinois almost 2 years ago AND from a fox we see quite often in our neighborhood.

We spotted this shirt previously when we were school shopping together online (yes, I do that with Ella), but there was some sort of glitch in the system that wouldn't allow us to add it to our cart. *frown* I even called Customer Service and tried to order it directly through them but the gal helping me couldn't even see the shirt from her end of things. Weird.

Anyway - we were both bummed we couldn't get it for her before school so now I'm SO excited to surprise her with it!

I also wanted to show you the adorable "Ghost Cat" shirt - that's what I call it anyway. Halloween is coming up quick you guys! Don't let it sneak up on you!!

And I'm going to show Ella the Pink Fox Shirt to see if she likes it. She may not be into the long sleeves just yet but I have a feeling she'll love it.

The Willow Pink Gap baseball cap should be perfect for her - we've been on the search for a hat that will actually fit Ella's head - all of them have been too big so far. She looks SO cute in them.

The Knot Bow Headband should totally be something Ella loves because she's completely all about headbands right now. I'm not sure if it's because she really likes headbands or if it's just that she prefers a quick headband as opposed to me torturing her with the brush when trying to put her hair up in a ponytail. *wink*

Anyway - thought I'd share my finds with you…
The sale apparently end on September 9th - maybe you'll find some things for your littles too.

KEEPiNG iT REAL
The Fox and Balloons shirt was not on sale…but I just HAD to have it.
I didn't want to run the risk of not being able to order it again.

FUN FINDS | Spring Sale at Gymboree

I had something different scheduled for today's post but then something happened…
I got an email from Gymboree about their ONE-DAY online deal - starting at $3.99 & up!
Did you get that email too?

Anyway, upon hearing the news I felt it was my moral obligation to pass along some of my favorite cute Spring fashion picks for your little girl…before the sale ends. (there's boy stuff on sale too…we just don't do a whole lot of boy stuff around this girly household). *wink*

Use the arrows to scroll through my picks 

Maybe you'll find something you have to have too?

You're welcome! *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL

Now…I've got to get some things crossed off my procrastination list. (see my Instagram post and join me). 

ELLA STYLE | Summer Fun on the Play Set

This happy girl LOVES being outside on her swing set.
We've spent some extra hours out there this Summer and on this particular day...
she really wanted some of her friends out there to swing with her...

Turn up the sound button and PUSH PLAY! 
Watch the 15 second Instagram Video I created...
(I love that you can hear the birds chirping in the background).

1. Giggling over the fact that "Cinderella" just wouldn't sit still in her swing.

2. Oops! "Brownie" and her pink pony fell out of their swing too.

3. Growing up too fast - she doesn't use her hands anymore for walking up or down the slide.

4. Build-A-Bears - "Brownie" actually belongs to Clara but since Clara has outgrown Brownie she's allowed Ella to temporarily care for her. "Cinderella" was a gift from Grandpa and Grandma on Ella's trip to Illinois with her dad.

5. Being a bit shy for some reason with me taking photos! (she's usually asking/telling me to take pictures of her) Ha!!

6. Ella can stand up and swing now too - with much caution at this point.

7. Getting ready to jump in her swing after carefully positioning and re-positioning her friends on their own swings.

8. Cute video showcasing Ella's super sweet personality! I love how this turned out.

Ella Style:

Ella is wearing +GapKids White Bermuda Shorts, Glitter Graphic Ice Cream T-Shirt and her hair is styled in a side-braided pony tail - tied off with a snippet of red gingham ribbon. (Such a small, simple detail I've always loved using on my girls).

I really encourage you to capture the simple things that make up your every day...

Your favorite coffee mug...

the outside activities you do with your family...

your children's favorite play things...

or even the shoes you are constantly tripping over.

I promise... you will miss seeing those shoes left out one day. *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I typically go out in the mornings or after dinner with Ella...

this Florida heat is just too much in the middle of the day.

Ella's side-braided pony tail started coming out in the middle of playing.

I ended up re-doing it as a standard pony tail. (see photo 2)

Which by the way, Photo 2 is my favorite photo!

I think because it encapsulates everything we had going on that morning.

Ella's red cheeks, re-done hair, friends in the grass more often than in the swing

and her stuffed animals in her arms reminds me of how important they are to her - 

and how sweetly she cares for them and integrates them into her every day life.

She's such the sweetest!!