Tuesday, January 31, 2012

#janphotoaday Week 4


I did it!  I completed the January Instagram challenge!  To be honest, I was a little worried that I might grow bored somewhere during the month, but I actually found this challenge to force me to take more pictures of my life and reflect on the little things around me.

Here are my submissions from the last week {plus a couple days}:

+ Day 23 - something old {passed down from my grandma}
+ Day 24 - guilty pleasure {peanut butter and chocolate ice cream}
+ Day 25 - something I made {iPhone sleeves}

+ Day 26 - colour {my pinks may clash, but I love it!}
+ Day 27 - lunch {my weekly date with Sam}
+ Day 28 - light {Saturday night at home}

+ Day 29 - In our fridge {not particularly clean, but as-is right now}
+ Day 30 - nature {from earlier in the month when our creek almost flooded}
+ Day 31 - you again {goodbye January}

So, while January may be coming to an end, I'm hoping these pictures will not.  There is already a February challenge created and I look forward to continuing this weekly post with you all!

If you'd like to follow along on Instagram, check out my feed here!

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Leap List #1 - Check!

Happy Sunday!  Just a quick post to point out that only two days officially on board with my Leap List and I've crossed off my first item! 

While the new design for 'Grable Tales' is quite plain & simple, that was my plan the whole time.  I have loved my last couple blog designs {thank you krameymartin designs!}, but the time had come that I felt like I wanted this space to be a little less 'busy'. 

I decided to go the easy route by picking a template off Blogger and added a new header that I customized myself.  I also added a widget that would share my Instagram photos as I post them.  And if you've been following along over the last month, you know that about 90% of the photos I take are posted there, so check that out if you want to see what I'm up to from day to day.

It feels good to be able to cross the first Leap List item off and I'm already working towards crossing a few more off!  Until the next one...

Friday, January 27, 2012

Leap List

Recently, a close friend of mine was talking about her Leap List and she really inspired me!  Her list was beautiful and full of dreams & goals, specific to where she is in life, and I found myself relating to {and loving} the idea of this type of short-term list.

So I created my own.  And to be honest, it's pretty scary to hit 'post' and put this list out there for all {who read this blog} to see, even if it doesn't seem like it to others.  Posts like this tend to make me feel more vulnerable than I like, so I am hoping this will make me more confident in the end.

As for a timeline, I don't have really have one.  Since the next 'leap' for us is starting a family, I am hoping most of these items will take place before that event occurs.  But while I like to have everything planned out according to my schedule, I have realized how little control I actually have on when things happen to me.  So without further adieu, here's my Leap List...


1. Update 'Grable Tales' blog design.
--- It's been since August 2010 since the look was last updated, so I think it's time.

2. Change my passport to show my married name.
--- I've been married for almost 4 years and haven't had a reason to, but now it's on my list.

3. Get a massage.
--- Never had a professional massage and would love at least one in my lifetime.

4. Run a 5k.
--- This one is scary to put out because I'm not a big runner, but I do think it might be fun.

5. Take a real vacation with my husband.
--- We never took a honeymoon and all our other vacations have been to visit family or friends, so I think we deserve a trip just our own.

6. Install new flooring in our house.
--- Our house came with a lot of carpet and we're ready for a change.

7. Write at least one handwritten note each month.
--- In the age of emails & texts, handwritten notes just feel more special.  And who doesn't love getting mail!

8. Make a quilt.
--- I have a sewing machine & enjoy the art of sewing, so why not!

9. Have professional family pictures taken.
--- I love being able to see our life at a particular time in our life through someone else's lens.

10. Learn to play the piano.
--- One of my best friends is an awesome piano player, so I'm hoping some of her skills may rub off on me.


Although ten items on paper might not seem too daunting, I am just hoping I don't fail miserably at accomplishing some of these.  Wish me luck & I hope you'll join along while I complete {& document} my Leap List.


What are some of the items on your Leap List?

Monday, January 23, 2012

#janphotoaday Week 3


Ready for week 3? Here you go!


+ Day 16 - morning {this sleepy head could sleep all day}
+ Day 17 - water {this water bottle helps me get my needed amount every day}
+ Day 18 - something I bought {this haircut}
+ Day 19 - sweet {one of my favorite chocolates}

+ Day 20 - someone I love {more today than our wedding day}
+ Day 21 - reflection {with Sam in the kitchen window}
+ Day 22 - shoes {these boots have been worn a lot lately}

One more week to go {+ a couple days}... but I just found out there is another challenge in the works for February. So you know what that means, right? Get ready for more pictures!

If you'd like to follow along, check out my Instagram here!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

What I Wore Wednesday... is back!

It's been a little over a month since I did a true 'What I Wore Wednesday' here, but I decided I just couldn't stay away :) I've been compiling some outfit shots from the last couple weeks that haven't made their way to the blog yet, so enjoy!

{sweater: J.Crew; tee: Modbe; jeans: Gap outlet; boots: Target}

{necklace: Anthropologie; sweater: Gap; jeans: Gap outlet; shoes: Clarks}

{cowl scarf: Land's End Canvas; tee: Anthropologie;
jeans: Gap outlet; heels: Clarks}

{sweater: borrowed from Kristi, Nordstrom;
top: Ann Taylor Loft; pants: Calvin Klein; boots: Target}

{sweater: J.Crew; tee: Downeast Basics; jeans: Gap outlet; heels: Clarks}

{necklace: American Eagle; sweater: borrowed from Kristi, Nordstrom,
tank: Anthropologie; pants: Gap; heels: Clarks}

{vest: Anthropologie; tee: Downeast Basics;
jeans: Gap outlet; boots: Target; pup: our Lily!}


pleated poppy


Monday, January 16, 2012

#janphotoaday Week 2





I'm back again to share week 2's #janphotoaday submissions.



+ Day 9 - daily routine {morning}
+ Day 10 - childhood {best friends Shelby, Krissy, & Karlee}
+ Day 11 - where we sleep {and yes, it's made almost every day because I'm a little OCD}
+ Day 12 - close up {my Erin Condren iPhone case}



+ Day 13 - in my bag
+ Day 14 - something I'm reading {The Tiny Twig's The No Brainer Wardrobe}
+ Day 15 - happiness {spending any time with my niece!}

Half way through the month and I'm still enjoying this challenge. I love the prompts and the ability to translate it however I'd like. I also look forward to seeing what others post every day.

If you'd like to follow along, check out my Instagram here!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Why Women Need Fat #BHBC

When I was younger, I don’t remember worrying about getting enough exercise because my parents did a good job kepping us active and involved in sports. And as for food, I was always fed and happy, so I never thought anything of it. It wasn’t until I entered college {and was on my own for the first time} when I realized how important those two things actually are for your body and health.

Now, almost 8 years later, enter “Why Women Need Fat” by William D. Lassek, M.D. and Steven J.C. Gaulin, Ph.D. This book was a big eye opener for me because between college and now, I was under the impression that dieting was the only way to lose unwanted weight and become “healthy” again. Boy was I wrong!

At first, I didn't know if this book was for me – I wasn’t dieting and I felt like I was in good shape – but the more I read, the more I learned. From chapters about why and how we got fatter to even more about achieving your natural weight through food & exercise, this book seemed to cover it all. And before I knew it, I was thinking of ways to change my current, so-called healthy lifestyle to one that may actually benefit me in the years to come.

To see what others had to say and join in the discussions, head over to BlogHer’s Book Club now!


While I was compensated for this BlogHer Book Club review, all opinions expressed above are my own.

Monday, January 9, 2012

#janphotoaday Week 1


To those already on Instagram, I apologize for bombarding you with more #janphotoaday photos. But to those who aren't, you can find a little background here.

I was initially drawn to it because I hoped to take more pictures in 2012 and so far, it's really helped. In addition, it gives me a different subject to post each day, so hopefully others learn about me as I am learning about them. Win-win, right?

Here's the first week {+1 day} of my #janphotoaday, with details below:

+ Day 1 - me + New Years flowers!
+ Day 2 - one of my favorite cereals for breakfast.
+ Day 3 - something I adore + the only pieces of jewelry I wear every day!
+ Day 4 - our {rainy} letterbox

+ Day 5 - what I wore {today}
+ Day 6 - something that makes me smile {Sam's nicknames for me}
+ Day 7 - favourite {wearing a comfy old sweatshirt with memories}
+ Day 8 - your sky {foggy morning}


If you'd like to join along, my Instagram username is 'littlemeaggs'. And if you're participating in #janphotoaday, let me know because I'd love to follow you!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Hope for 2012

{necklace: hand-me-down from mom; top + boots: Target; skirt: Land's End Canvas}

2011 was a pretty good year to us and I have even more hope for what 2012 has in store for Sam + I! I don't recall setting any resolutions last year and don't really plan to this year, however I do have a few hopes for this upcoming year:
So there you have it. Some of these may be simple, while others may require some hard work on my part. But by the end of the year, I hope to be less stressed and more happy with the person I am, inside & out.


Here's to 2012!