First Day Of School 2014

I not sure how we got here so fast but we did. Another summer in the books and a new school year has already started!

This is a year of many "first's". B starts her first year as a middle schooler. Personally I have never seen a child more excited to start middle school. All I can say is that I hope she is this happy for all three years. Our other "first" is that L is starting kindergarten this year! He is just over the moon that he will "finally" be in the same school as M.

May all of their days this year be filled with smiles!!!

TGIF X

I know that I took a longer break than I thought I would this week but it was needed! It took me longer to recover than I thought it would but I am so very blessed to have family and friends that are always willing to help out when needed!!!

So without further ado my "5 for Friday"....

{1} Fall

I don't want to jinx things but it feels as if Fall is here to stay in NoVa. And I simply love Fall! Cool enough weather not to be sweating all the time but pleasant enough to be outside and play. And maybe if we get some rain soon our tree will start to turn into bright reds, yellows and oranges, although I do fear that might not happen this year.

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{2} Layered Looks

Now that the weather is getting cooler I start to think of layered looks. Button-downs and sweaters always make this preppy gal smile. My smile might be bigger if I had Olivia Palermo's wardrobe too. But that is neither here nor there!

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{3} PSL

While spending a week on the sofa surfing the web I could not help but notice how many people simple love Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. Many my fellow bloggers really are devoted fans of the PSL and look forward to it every year. But I have a confession to make...I have never tried one. I love Starbucks coffee and make it every morning and sometimes treat myself with one of their skim lattes but never the PSL. Am I really missing out?

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{4} Getting Back In The Kitchen

Not only did I take a week off of blogging but I also took time off in the kitchen too. It was not easy to do but it was so needed. But now that I am on the mend I am in the mood to bake this weekend. Not sure if I should make an apple or pumpkin pie. Life is filled with tough decisions! (Hubby's note- Either way I win!)

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{5} Pampering

Do not get me wrong, I have been beyond pampered by family and friends this week. But since I have to take off all my nail polish this past Monday, I feel like a trip to the local nail salon is in order. I am so in need of a great Fall color!

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As always thank you to A. Liz Adventures, Carolina Charm, Hello! Happiness and The Good Life Blog. Have a wonderful weekend y'all!

Daring Greatly

I am the kind of gal that just can't say no. So I am not surprised by all the different "hats" I will be wearing this school year.  I mean how could I say no to the PTO? I enjoy raising money for great causes. How could I not step-up and coach B's field hockey team?  I love field hockey and helping empowering girls to be strong athletes. And do I really need to throw a Launch Party for my R + F business? I can't grow my business if people don't know about it. There just seem to be worthy causes everywhere I turn this Fall.

So I am sure that you can understand that my "to-do" was bringing me down. I was feeling a little overwhelmed by it all. It was as if my coffee mug was mocking me this morning! And self doubt started to creep in....what if my PTO event was a failure? What if I don't raise enough money? What if the girls on the team don't learn anything this season? What if we never win a game and they get discouraged? What if I am not a successful sales consultant? I could feel a sad pity party coming on but it stopped after I re-read a quote from Teddy Roosevelt.....

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

Teddy Roosevelt

I am not sure about you but this quote really spoke to me and the pity party ended! From now on I will refer to this crazy busy Fall as the "Fall Of Daring Greatly"!!!