Happy New Year!!

Out with the old, and in with the new!

Here's to a fabulous new year!

The Holidays

Happy Friday all.  Can I hear a big sigh of relief?   aaaahhhhh.... Oh that was just me.  Well phew, Tae is out of school for Christmas break.  In France the students take a 2 week break every 6 weeks and I have come to know and love those breaks.  It is just enough for some hang out time with Tae and no waking up early, and yet also enough time that I am ready to send him back to school after those two weeks are up.  

For those of you who aren't following me on Twitter, my parents are here!!  I am so excited they will be here for a little less than a month.  I am so very blessed to have a great relationship with both my parents and I love that they are visiting.  My sons also love them to death, which might be an understatement, they are like rock stars in this house.  We are also heading to Nice, France for Christmas and I couldn't be more stoked about that!  I have never been to the south and I cannot wait to experience it.

And to top it off, husband is DONE with basketball after his game tonight.  Well, for the holiday break, anyway.  I love it when he has time off because the rest of the season he is so stinkin' busy it is like he works more than a 9 to 5.  (Naps are included in this busyness. Athletes and athlete wives understand)  It will be nice to take a lovely family vacation next week to another part of the world we haven't seen!  I hope to get some awesome pictures!

This outfit: Shirt: Zara // Jeans: Old Navy // Earrings: Target // Necklace: Gift // Headband: made myself // Pictures: c/o my 4 year old.

What are your plans for the holidays?  Any awesome traditions you have coming up?  I would love to hear them!

Oh and if you have any extra time, you can check out my post over at the SITS Girls about Holiday Hairstyles!  

Happy Friday and Happy Weekend!

December

Can you believe it?  It is December!!  I most certainly cannot.  Somehow it doesn't feel all that Christmasy around here.  But maybe it will when we head out for some Christmas family fun this weekend! 

In the meantime, here is some Pinterest Christmas spirit.  And yes.  I had to start it off with an outfit.  :)

Source: lookbook.nu via Natalia on Pinterest

Source: itsthelittlethingsthatmakeahouseahome.blogspot.com via Natalia on Pinterest

Source: lollyjaneboutique.blogspot.com via Natalia on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Natalia on Pinterest

If you have a minute, you can check out the new sponsors on the right hand sidebar.  Lovely ladies, you would be wise to check 'em out!

Have an excellent weekend!! Husband has a game tonight, so here's to hoping he wins!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

To be honest with you, I haven't been really thinking about Thanksgiving.

Yes, I am American.  But as you might know, I am living in France.  They don't celebrate Thanksgiving here.  They really don't even know what it is about.  So needless to say, my boy is at school, my husband is at a dental appointment and then later practice and I am home hanging out with my little hurricane. (I am sure you can guess where he gets that name... you should see my house.)

This time last year, I was aching for my family.  It was so hard to read all the Thanksgiving posts on Facebook about yummy food and good times with family.  This year, I am doing a bit better.  There is an away game this weekend, it seems like they always have an away game Thanksgiving weekend!  So we have planned our own version of Thanksgiving, a kinda sorta Thanksgiving.  Sunday we will be decorating the house for Christmas!! Eating fried chicken, corn, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pies and some pumpkin bread.  (husband doesn't like pumpkin pie... weird I know.)  We will have four cultures represented at our faux-Thanksgiving, so I guess you can't really call it a Thanksgiving at all!

So today, probably like many others, I thought I would count my blessings.  I have so many I am truly thankful for, I really am feeling the blessings today!

1.) My husband.  He loves me.  He protects me.  He tries to care about what I care about (he's just not that into beauty).  He works so incredibly hard for his family.  He loves his boys.  He is an excellent dad.  He does the hard stuff when he has to because he knows it is best for us.  He makes sacrifices.  And my absolute favorite?  He is always, always, working on being a better man, husband, and father.  What more could I ask for?

2.) My boys.  My beautiful, healthy, crazy, dirty, messy, loud, silly, funny, tall, wonderful boys.  I wouldn't change either one of them a bit, imperfections and all.  God made them so beautiful in their own unique ways.

3.) We have a roof over our heads, food to eat, and people to love.

4.) We have incredible friends and family all over the world!

5.) I have some amazing women back home whom I am blessed to call friends.  They love, care, and think about me even when I am oceans away.

6.)  I know the Lord.  He has blessed me in all these areas and so much more!

7.) Family.  My family and Var's family are truly a perfect fit into our lives.  We are thankful for them in their different ways.

8.) And finally, risking sounding super-cheesy, this blog and the friends I have made through it!  Who knew you could have such close friends you have never met??  It keeps me sane in my crazy life.  Thank you!

I think that sums it up.  I am so blessed beyond words, but I don't want to go on forever.  I honestly hope that you all have a beautiful Thanksgiving full of laughter and love!!

I am sounding super sentimental today, aren't I??  I just LOVE you, man!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

So, I don't have a full length mirror...

So I had this outfit in my head because I bought these tights at Target before I left (for $5 mind you!!) and I was dying to wear them.  Add a little color in my life.  I super adore this scarf given to me by a dear dear friend.  And of course my fall boots which will be making multiple appearances until I get these bad boys.  

 Lavar wasn't really diggin' this outfit.  And he is my style consultant.  Actually, the man is very stylish.  I will do a post of him and some of his crazy style choices someday.  (think red shoes, white stripes...) (oh and MiMi, you are thinking of this post, aren't you? haha He DOESN'T match!)

 To be honest with you, I was actually diggin' the outfit.  I was super comfy, the tights are fabulous and soft.  The sweater and shirt were comfy and loose and I was wearing a skirt without freezing my tooshie off.

I have a few items of business!  One is that you will see down to the right I have created my own community on Blog Frog.  I think it is an excellent idea and I am sooooo excited about it.  So go ahead and start a convo there or check out one that's already started!

Also, I have had quite a few Etsy shops submit their info for the Handmade Holiday Gift Guide I am created this year.  As you probably saw, there is a little button up there to the left so beautifully made by my momma.  If you have an Etsy shop or know of one that you think should be included, e-mail me at natalia@manouvellemode.com.  If you have no idea what I am talking about, click that beauty at the top left and you will find more info!  Can't wait to look through all the shops!

Happy Friday!

Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter everyone!  He is Risen!

I just thought I would share some family pics we took today.  In all their unedited glory.  Sorry my computer has been freaking out on me. 

My mom got the boys these cute shirts.  Mine is from H&M and my husband insisted that his yellow shirt matched...

And he didn't like my cowboy boots.  Boo.  I like them.

So what do you think?  Does his yellow shirt match the rest of us?  Mine's better, right?  Yeah, I know.  He just never listens to me...