Snapshot Saturday - Wild Things!

It's been a big day!  We met our newest family member after we celebrated our sweet MaseFace's first birthday!  The party was super cute! I can't wait to share the pictures soon!  OMG, aren't the kids super cute??

Come back soon to hear all about it!

Snapshot Saturday - Auntie Duties.

I spent my Thursday afternoon helping to get the house ready for my nephew.  It was so nice to spend time with them and I am still on cloud nine from the time spent completing the projects!  Islanders, I hope your Saturday is productive!

Snapshot Saturday - VBS Video Summary

Today, I'm recovering from our busy week of Vacation Bible School fun.  I've compiled a few images from the week into a quick video and they, along with the background music, summarize the week!

Enjoy!

Vacation Bible School was a success! #godsloveis #thekidswantedanotherweek #theadultsneedaweekofrest #decorwasonpoint #funwasonpoint #volunteerswereonpoint #vbs #RLCC @ made with @flipagram #flipagram #foodwasyumtoo #CharlesJenkinsAndFellowshipChicago See full video at flipagram.com/tabitha.keese

A video posted by tmkeese (@tmkeese) on Jul 17, 2015 at 10:54pm PDT

Snapshot Saturday - 2014's Sparkler Solo

It's Independence Day and I'm really hoping Hubbs will give us another sparkler performance like last year.

Yes, the glow sticks are from the audience but that performance at the end is alllll HUBBS.  Picture a 6'2" gym rat twirling and spinning with a sparkler.  Get your laugh on and enjoy!!



I hope your Fourth of July is SPARKLING!

Snapshot Saturday

Howdy, Islanders!

This post is dedicated to the powers of social media!  I am blessed to have many e-friends and to connect with them using social media.  Clarissa, one of my e-buddies, blogs over at This Afropolitan Life.  We read each other's blogs and follow each other on a few social media networks.  Then, this happened:

Yep.  Suddenly, we became real people!  I mean, it's not that we weren't real before but the barriers of the computer screens allow (or prevent?) people from being really real real... well, kinda... at least to me.  Do I sound crazy? I feel like I do... moving on!

Sherry's Fall Vignette

I know we spoke about the mess that was my kitchen Friday. By way of update, the man cleaned it before that post went live but I didn't cancel it.  Posts like that keep me grounded.  Constantly reading blogs where everything is photo shoot ready, I get caught up in the idea that people really live like the photos I see in magazines. Don't get me wrong, I keep a decent home... I have a healthy case of OCD when it comes to my cleaning BUT Hubbs and Munch have helped ground my desire to live in a perfect home...

They remind me to enjoy life more than I enjoy pretty vacuum streaks in my carpet.  I get it, home is meant for living... I would (and do) argue slob-like tendencies, however, are unacceptable.  I had a busy weekend and I'll share more tomorrow and into the week.  A cake design for a client, floral design consultation, a meeting for future opportunities... BIG THANGS on the horizon!

Before I go, I just wanted to show you Sherry's awesome fall vignette.

She's not done but how awesome is it so far?

Snapshot Sunday

So, yesterday we talked about recent updates to the dining room and I realized there have been some changes to the family room.  Nothing major but DEF some changes for sure.

We last spoke about the family room when I shared my cheap artwork and the pillows (here) about a month or so ago, right?  As I said then, I was happy with where the family room was going.  I admit, however, there was one thing driving me bonkers - the area under the television.

Hubbs and I took care to mount the t.v. and to eliminate the wires.  We hung it (and hid wires) before Christmas.  I wanted my mantle for our stockings and the pain in my neck from leaning back to look so high up was annoying.  So, we did it and it looked great.  It was great.  We had the cable box and, at times, the PlayStation sitting on top of my antique chest and some stacked baskets but... eh, it was better, right? 

Snapshot Saturdays

Now, I don't want you to see things in the background of party pics and think I've been holding back on the house updates.  I've been in a funk but I realized that I've made some updates worth sharing... So, here's a rundown of the Dining Room changes:

SnapshotSaturdays-A Brave Soul & A Snake

Happy weekend!

Can I just say, I think Rocky the guinea pig is excited about her debut on the island.  Like, maybe she can feel her popularity boosting around the internet... All I know is, she's been excitedly running around her cage and, to put it in perspective, she probably THINKS she looks like this:

She is probably thinking this:

But really... she looks like this:

Snapshot Saturday

Hey, Islanders!

It's been a productive Saturday.  Hubbs and I ran errands after I dropped these two little ladies off at Sherry's:

When I arrived to her home, in true always-on-it fashion, Sherry was starting her fabulous Spring vignette.  She was crafting and I snagged a pic of her fabulous wreath before it was finished:

Of course, I love it but I also felt like a slacker when she reminded me it's March 1st!!!

Should I be pulling out Spring decor?  Preparing for March holidays?  

*rolls eyes*

I guess I should at least take down my Valentines decor, huh?

New Stuff - Thoughts, Blog Series & Hair

Hey, Islanders! I know... I'm blogging on a SATURDAY!

 

I'm just poppin' in to let you guys know it appears the subscription emails are back up and running. 

 

I know many of you haven't received emails since Thanksgiving... Well, my blogging frequency hasn't changed... at all.  Feel free to come visit the island (here) to catch-up!

 

O and, since I have your attention, I want to share the latest "thing" here on the blog. 

 

Snapshot Saturdays/Sundays

 

I'm all about real-life around these parts so I want to share in-progress photos of projects around the house or in our everyday life.  Consider it a little dose of life unscripted. 

 

 

Today, 'round these parts, I'm washing my hair for the first time in weeks.  Why, you ask?  Well, I tried something different:

 

 

Marley Twists!!!

 

I know what you're thinking and, yes, they are a different style for me.  I fell in love while stalking pics online.

 

 

I really wanted to try the look.  I twist my hair often but adding hair will make it thicker and a little longer (mine are really long while wet but shrink after drying).

 

I mentioned to Devona that I was thinking of trying the style and she volunteered to experiment with me and I panicked freaked canceled debated agreed.

 

So, I turned 31... I've decided to make personal improvements to myself... to do whatever I need to feel GREAT because I deserve to give myself my best.  Well, in my pursuit of personal happiness I've also decided to push myself... to embrace and to improve myself (even if it means stepping out of my comfort zone).  Well, we did it. 

 

Yep.

 

 

On Super Bowl Sunday, Devona twisted my hair.  She would've done them smaller but I wanted the twists to be big and natural-looking.

 

We rolled the ends and dipped them in hot water to seal them...

 

I was worried this style was too "ethnic" for the office so I enjoyed some cool buns and braids.  Most people thought, because I have so much hair that it was mine, lol.  My thoughts on that topic?!

 

Hey, if 90% of the big stars add a little to accomplish a style or look, why can't I?!

 

It was a lot of fun! 

 

When I removed the twists, my hair had remained in twists so long that I was able to wear a really cool twist-out then a big bun.

 

So, finally washing my hair... There's my Saturday morning. 

 

Now, back to what this series will mean to the island...

Maybe it'll be pics of our dirty house or of our hair treatments that require shopping bags to "activate" the deep conditioner... OR my battle with the never-ending pile o' laundry. Events? Home projects? Family time?  

 

IDK, everyone is so in love with their perfect homes, fabulous projects and angelic children that I find it refreshing when people are just REAL.  I love my home, my man and my kid... but some days they get on my last nerve and I stand on the premise that it's ok.  I feel bad sometimes if I have a less-than-perfect day... If I'm not selfie ready or steppin' out in style.  Maybe I'm crazy.  Maybe I'm alone in this feeling.  Maybe I'm the only one who giggles at those people who are so perfectly living life.  Whatever the case, I want to lead by example. I want to tell anyone who will listen that LIFE (motherhood, marriage, home ownership, family, work, EVERYTHING) takes work and has ups and downs.  The downs make the ups that much greater...  they're a fact of life... they're normal and this little ol' island? It embraces flaws as fabulous (especially since we all have them).

 

*steps off of soap box*

 

*sips water*

 

*wipes forehead*

 

*exhales*

 

I'm trying to justify posting pics of my crazy hair, jerk husband, dirty house and sassy child in an effort to rebel against this PERFECT LIFE epidemic social media seems to perpetuate. O and I'm kindly demanding telling daring you to debate ASKING you to support.

 

JUST GO WITH IT, OK?