Blog Name Change!

Growing up as one of four children our home always had a revolving door. Friends were constantly in and out, and what I loved most about our house growing up was that everyone was always welcome. It was a gathering place of sorts. Now, as my husband and I have settled (and I use that term loosely) into our new home, I really want that welcoming tradition to continue here. I want my kids friend's to always feel welcome, I want our kitchen and patio to be full of our close friends, wine and conversation. And above all I want to create a home full of love and happy memories. Happy Haven totally suit the phase of life we are moving into. I'm excited to share our journey of turning this ole life of ours into something special. And if we're being completely honest here, the name "Coffee and Chardonnay" seemed a little polarizing. Accurate, but polarizing nonetheless.

Welcome to Happy Haven Blog, friends!

Come follow along on Facebook here and Instagram here.

The site's name will be changing over from South Pearl Living to Happy Haven Blog on Thursday, so if you follow along on Bloglovin' please add Happy Haven Blog to your feed so we can stay in touch!

And Denver mama's- I am so excited to be contributing to the Denver Metro Mom's Blog, launching in two short weeks! You will love the articles coming up so check 'em out.

Talk soon!

Weeks wrap up (vol 2)

Hey Friday, let's dive right into wrapping this week on-up!

1. THE TOP KNOT: I've been throwing this up all week, it's my mom-do. It is the perfect quick, my-hair-is-dirty-but-my-clothes-are-clean, pulled together look. Throw on some red lips and your set. Fake it 'til you make it y'all. 

2. MOM GUILT: That's all I'll say about this heartbreak. 

3. ETSY-WIN: I ordered this for a fabulous friend and I am a big fan of how it turned out and this shop. Check out her shop too if you like the gold foil look. 

Img via Etsy: SprinkleofSparklebyJ 

5. CHA-CHA-CHA-CHANGES: Changes are happening around here friends. I look forward to sharing next Tuesday. *Hint* #DMMB and #HHB.

Chat with you next week!

Let's link! Lot's of lovely ladies to follow today. Check 'em out:

Five on Friday: Hello! Happiness/A.Liz Adventures/Carolina Charm/The Good Life Blog

Oh, Hey Friday September F A R M

Friday Favorites at Momfessionals

Living outside your circumstances.

You . Guys.

I have GREAT news. I'm coming out of the fog!

Well not all the way out of the fog quite yet, but I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

It is slowly lifting due to a (mostly) finished full house renovation, a 12-hour sleeping through the night babe, and also I'm just trying to be a healthier human. 

I am one of those that loves, no THRIVES, NO! Does NOT FUNCTION well when my home-base, routine, day-to-day, well you get it, when all of that is not in order. I am a creature of habit, a home-body, the type of person that orders the same thing at the same restaurant, ev-ery time.

And since Baby B was born we just haven't had a normal. For example, earlier this year I fed him lunch in his johnny-jumper IN the master bedroom (because our kitchen was demolished); and the whole time I was thinking, well at least he's eating! Can I get an Amen? 

One trait I am constantly in awe of in others is the ability to be content no matter the circumstances. I'll admit, it has often been a struggle over the last 8-months. What a sense of stability it must be to be able to remain above whatever is going on in your world.  Now as the see-saw is slowly returning back to the center and I feel like I'm catching my breath once again, I'm realizing what a waste of time it is to let a situation or circumstance drain me so much personally. Life goes on folks, and if you don't find the positive perspective in the negative moments than the situation wins. And you lose. And NO ONE likes a loser, okay?

So, okay. I'm probably going to keep ordering the Pad Thai at the local Thai place because it tastes really good and I always regret when I change my order. BUT, I'm going to take a step back when I find myself allowing the situation to control my emotions. And I'm going to work really hard to choose to be joyful in the crazy. 

How do you balance the chaos?

To inner peace, y'all.

How Sweet It Is: Life with two.

You know when you run into someone you haven't seen in a while, and you spend some time catching up and get asked "how are things?"

Most of the time I respond with the typical "great!" "busy!" or "I'm tired." You know, the standard answers; the ones that don't take too much time or require too much thought.

But lately I keep finding myself responding with a new answer to that question, and that is "It's just a really sweet time right now."

And, y'all it is. 

A really, really sweet time. Lots of laughter between two brothers, lots of hugs, lots of love. I can't explain it in words that I feel like truly do it justice, but I'm sure many of you understand! You've lived or are living this time right now. Our hearts and home are filled with so much love at the moment. I'm so grateful for this time in our lives; because let's be honest, teenage years are coming folks, so for now, I choose to be ignorantly blissful!

And this weekend, we got a crawler!

Happy week y'all!

Weeks wrap-up (vol 1)

Greetings friends!

This week was weird; weird like busy. I don't want to complain because I got a surprise trip to the Garth Brooks concert, a hockey game, and dinner with friends two days in a row. Fun right? Like, need a nap fun.Y'all I get stressed when I have more than one activity in two consecutive days. Am I the only one that thrives on quiet and being alone? Non-busy-ness?

ONE. Y'all it's here, it's here!
Welcome spring!!

No seriously, WELCOME. And like, STAY AWHILE.
Please and thank you.
-Love your Colorado mamas who just want to go to the park already.

TWO. Let's talk the two cutest boys that ever were.
Gawsh. They just love each other so much.

The kindest, most compassionate little boy.

Spunky, independent and lovable.

Seeing double? I think I left my genes back in Texas.

THREE. Loving this article: Gentle C-Sections

When I read this article my heart lifted. As someone who has to give birth via c-section, I read this article and felt like I let out a big breath of air that I've been holding in for awhile. Like I can change the tone of my story. Take a read: Family Centered Gentle C-Sections.

FOUR. Napa rewind

My husband surprised me with a trip to Napa for our 5-year anniversary and y'all. It was the best trip ever. We totally spoiled ourselves, relaxed, started AND finished conversations and not once did I rush around. It was worry-free and the best gift he could have given me. I've been to wine country several times (we got engaged there) and I will tell you my favorite things this trip were:

Brunches at Auberge du Soleil

Sips on the deck at Elizabeth Spencer in Rutherford

The Chardonnay at Newton Vineyards

and homegrown winery/history tour at Chase Family Vineyards

FIVE. NORDSTROMS TRIPLE POINTS!!

ALERT! ALERT! It's Triple Points weekend at Nordstrom. I love Nordstrom Notes, I love Nordstrom coffee, I LOVE NORDSTROM.

Looking forward to time with family this weekend, and enjoying this beautiful SPRING weather! While it lasts. Have a great weekend, friends!

* Linked up today - check these lovely ladies out at: *
O Hey Friday | September Farm
Five on Friday | A. Liz Adventures, Hello! Happiness, Carolina Charm, The Good Life Blog

Shine a Light.

Have you ever heard of Need to Breathe? I really love this band, and one of my favorite lyrics from their song "Washed by the Water" is:

"Just trying to make the world a little better, 

you know, shine a light."

I think this is such a simple, powerful thought. Isn't that what we're all trying to do? Create a happy space for our kids and families, our neighborhoods and community, and (hopefully) far past our immediate worlds.  

This week a certain tragedy has just rattled me. Forced me to think about life in the bigger picture. Or rather, how fragile life is and how temporary we are. I struggle sometimes with why things happen - I'm sure we all do. It got me thinking about how we're remembered. What impact did we make while we were here? 

"Surrender to what is.
Let go of what was.

Have faith in what will be." 

-Sonia Ricotti

As a relatively new mom I'm always concerned about the impact my children will make on the world and I think a lot about how I can raise up good people. Well, hello miss, what about you? Of course there are small things I can do, like let things go quicker with my husband, always try to come from a non-judgmental and open place with friends and family, and make sure I'm nurturing myself and coming from a centered place. But then there's larger impacts I can make, like on my community through time, donations and so forth.

Things we can do to help lighten the load for another, and in return lessening the burden we carry ourselves. 

In the end, none of us know the days we have left here in this world. And this week I got a good kick in the butt when it comes to perspective. I don't want to be remembered as someone who didn't give back to the world all the blessings I was given. I don't want to waste this life I was given.

So my friends, love hard, forgive easily, leave little unsaid. Shine a light.

BWK: 8-Month Update

Dear Ben,  you are 8-months old today. 

Is it weird that seems like no time at all, but feels like we've known you forever?

You are easy. 

And I mean, so easy. Not to be confused with happy-go-lucky, which described Coop at your age, but man you are easy. I nicknamed you grumps when you were a wee one, and I'd say it still sticks. You are easy...until you're not. And when you're not, you sure let us know it. We won't ever have to wonder where we stand with you little man.

Yahoo! 

You are sleeping through the night. Bless it. You slept through the night around 7-months consistently and you sleep 12-plus hours. You even slept until 9 this week! I repeat, 9AM. Thank you time change. Coop would have NEVER done this, ever. 

You nap three times a day, typically 8:30, 1:30 and 5:00. You love your morning nap and early evening catnap nap the best. Obviously we have to be flexible on days we take big bro to school, and you really don't have a problem with that. 

You know what you want and are a bit hard headed. 

You are SO physical, constantly moving. Not yet crawling but rocking on your hands and knees; it will be any day now. 

I'd guess you drink around 24 ounces of formula a day, you prefer to eat and you eat everything we give you. Seriously! You ate a lime the other day, soured up, but kept eating it! Your favorites are eggs, bananas, avocados, raspberries, blueberries - I could go on and on. You even eat deli meat. Again, stark opposite of your big bro.

You love interaction and show affection by leaning in and putting your cheek on ours. You have such intense eye contact, and are constantly soaking in things around you. You love baths with your brother and are itching to move to the big tub with him. 

I imagine you will be independent, loyal, feisty and vocal. I'd also guess you will be easy going until crossed. You will be best friends with your brother until the end. 

Until month, little man!