High Five... For the Last Five Fridays

I haven't done a high five post in five whole weeks... so really, this is just going to be one big photo dump. Here we go:

1. Got our rings dipped! We get them rhodium plated about every 8 months. And by we I mean I... hence the reason I'm also wearing Sean's ring in this pic. 2. It's screen porch weather.

3. The garden is in place... and as of today there's a lot of green growing there that wasn't when this picture was taken! 4. We celebrated my mom's birthday in downtown St. Louis at Cielo. 5. Emily got married!

6. My buds keep me company during the work day and make me laugh. 7. It's screen porch NAP weather. 8. Couldn't leave out the pics of Emily dancing with her Dad.

9. I thought blondes weren't supposed to get gray hair this young? Though I don't know if I'm considered blonde anymore. Either way, Sean made me laugh about it. 10. New drapes for our living room! We have a family room and a living room and since the tv isn't in the living room... well, it's just kind of sat there since we moved in. Feeling more like home now. 11. Sean surprised me with flowers when he knew I was having a bad day.

12. Visited this new-ish fabric and quilting shop and fell in love. 13. Really this isn't a high as in "good times," but the water was high from all the rain, and it's actually kinda pretty so I included it. This area is normally a field of grass. 14. This face! Fun to see how content little Nora is with bath time.

15. These faces! It's been nice to meet up a few times with Anna and John while she's been on maternity leave. 16. Finishing up a gallery wall in the dining room. But I've already got plans to change that yellow frame. 17. Tomatoes! Which are now in the ground in the garden you see above. Updated photos to come soon.

18. I found a new favorite tea this Spring. Harney & Sons Dragon Pearl Jasmine, which was actually a favor from Emily's wedding shower back in January. Glad I saved it til Spring! It's very floral and tasty. 19. New scarves in the shop! 20. Feeling good about putting some tricks I taught myself to good use on the ol' serger!

Confession... I am well aware of the fact that I am guilty of over-using the exclamation point. Most times when I write an email or blog I make a point to go back and edit them down to an acceptable level... but this time, I'm leaving 'em. Because really, five weeks of high fives deserves 'em!

Happy Friday, Friends!

Linking up with Lauren Elizabeth

High Five for Friday 4.5.13

Hello! Happy Friday again. Here's my high five:

1. We went to a fish fry with our friends and their son, Henry. He is such a content baby, and always fun to play with.

2. Last weekend we celebrated my college roommate at her bachelorette party. She's getting married 4.13! We had a great time... and even better, I was home by 9:30pm. Short, sweet and to the point.

3. This guy was in a cuddly mood all week. He also managed to get a ton of hair on that chair... it's a daily battle, but the kitty love makes it manageable.

4. I'm back to better eating habits this week, after a need for comfort food when Lily died, and a very indulgent Easter. I've yet to mention I've lost 13 lbs in the past 9 weeks so I'll get to that post soon... but I will say now that I'm thrilled I somehow managed to maintain that loss during some not-as-great weeks with meals!

5. I became a Roost Tribe member last month, and I can't imagine having better timing! Bonnie recently added a ton of new features to it, including a Facebook group. One day in I'm already finding out just how awesome it is to have such a community at my fingertips.

Bonus: I took a week off blogging, as you may have noticed. It was refreshing! I spend the extra time working on the most specific and realistic plan I've come up with yet for getting more products in the shop... and reorganized some things that are already there while I was at it.

High five, friends!
Linking up with From My Grey Desk.

Status Update 2.15.13

This is quite possibly the best dessert recipe ever because it's A. yummy B. healthy and C. fast. Enjoy! #Iaddextracoconut

Taking and editing photos can definitely be a good distraction from waiting for babies to be born... until you realize you aren't that great at taking photos and need to retake photo 101. #Seantotherescue

I am officially banning my cats from my office at night. They like to sleep on my sewing and desk chairs and are not at all shy about sharing their hair with me- #theycallmefuzzbutt

Not going to lie... really excited to have a baby girl in the family if only to have an excuse to make girly stuff! That and I'm so very happy for the new parents #Ihaveaniece

My dermatologist has reconfirmed to me this week that she is one of my favorite people in this world. I haven't seen her in two years, but she always has an immediate solution to my issue, gives lots of free samples, and loves to chat. Plus she wears Toms, skinnies, and cute/geek glasses. #ifshewasntmydoctorwemightbefriends

Everybody loves a good sun puddle. I think seasonal affectiveness disorder might run in our family #soakinginsomevitaminD

Yes, I am aware that I talk about my pets a lot. You would too if you spent every minute of every day with them. #thesearemykiddos

Psst... there's a sale going on in the shop on fabric yards, calendars, and fat quarter stacks.... and I'm extending it through Sunday, so check it out!

Nora Dawn

I'm posting today to show off the newest member of my family! Nora was born Monday, February 11, 2013 to Monica and Jesse, cousins of ours on Sean's side of the family. We've decided as a group that it's most appropriate for us to go by Aunt Lauren and Uncle Sean, so that makes Nora my very first niece! Isn't she a doll?

We went to visit Monica, Jesse and Nora at the hospital on Tuesday night. I, of course, managed to make her cry for a few seconds while I was holding her... as I seem to be good at doing with tiny babies:

But she got over it pretty quickly. In fact she was pretty content with sleeping the majority of the time we were there, as any baby that's less than a day old should be!

It's quite obvious that this little baby has a lot of people that love her. Her Mom and Dad were glowing with pride when we visited, and I'm sure that's a glow that won't wear off any time soon.

Monica and Jesse, we couldn't be happier for you and little Nora!

I write today with love and joy for the new little person in our lives, as there is a lot to be thankful for. Today is also a day of remembrance of Nora's big brothers, Anthony and Wesley, born one year ago today. Monica and Jesse's twins are always in our hearts, and especially so as their memory has given them the strength to bring another beautiful life into this world. I know I can't even begin to describe the emotions that our cousins have experienced over the past year, but it brings me comfort to know that Anthony and Wesley are now watching over Nora, Monica, and Jesse. We will never forget them.

Hospital photos: Sean and me, Family/maternity photo: Krista B. Photography