Happy Birthday to.....Me! :)

Last night my husband took me out for a surprise birthday dinner with our incredible friends Angie and Gary at one of my favorite places, The Melting Pot. It's an incredible fondue place that also boasts my favorite cocktail - "Love Martini". It's like dessert in a glass. He also took me out shopping for "whatever I wanted". Can you believe I only bought myself one thing?  We were at one of the premier malls in the country and I just didn't really feel like shopping after all - really??!!  

It was such a fun night anyway.I really enjoyed jut walking around with my husband and being out together. Here are some shots from last night from the "what I wore" point of view :)

 I took this one while in the dressing room at "Hot Mamma".....have you ever been in there before? Loved the designers they had in there and it was set up so cute. I ended up purchasing this great top below - loved the color and it is the softest thing ever!  

Above: Splendid Thermal Cowl Neck top in Persimmon via Hot Mamma

My Outfit info:

Leather Jacket - Bagatelle via TJ Maxx (old) 

Blouse - Daniel Rainn via TJ Maxx (see it worn here as well)

Black Skinny Jeans - I.N.C. via Macy's

Madden Girl Boots (old)

Stella & Dot  accessories - Rebel Pendant & Renegade necklace(no longer available) & Renegade  bracelet & Vintage Twist Bracelet & Luna Wrap Bracelet (my fav piece ever!) & Soiree Stud Earrings

Michael Kors watch

Here is our fun shot from dinner - I think Gary got caught in the flash - he looks like a ghost! 

 Wow!  What a year this past one has been .  I was in the doctor's office at this time last year (on my birthday even!) seeing my daughter on the ultrasound and being told that she could arrive any day - she was actually born on Feb. 19th. Those were the most incredible and anxious 9 days of my life. It has been so incredible seeing our growing family becoming so close over this last year. My boys - we have 3 ages 11 to 6 years old - are just crazy about their baby sister and she is totally in love with them!

In addition to the incredible blessing of our baby girl, my mother in law also got married and 2 of my 4 little brothers got married. With all the blessings this was also the most difficult year of my life as we unexpectantly lost my dad in a tragic accident. he was only 56 years old.  It has understandably affected me greatly....emotionally and physically  I am heavier than I have been probably in my entire life as I think I just became overwhelmed with everything for several months and just didn't have the drive to follow my normal routine and healthy eating habits. Having an infant made it more difficult and easier for me to make excuses for myself, I guess.  Emotionally I have fallen into days of depressed feelings that would leave me crying at the drop of a hat. 

I am taking steps to change things - I rejoined the marathon training group that I was in last year with the intention of finishing the training this time and actually running in "The Flying Pig" - Cincinnati's infamous marathon (I am training for the half)! I have also slowly gone back to my healthier eating habits and not making excuses for eating the stuff I know is not good for me or my family - the biggest change is deciding that I care about what I am putting into my body again. I have also submersed myself into bible study groups with girlfriend's that have really been helping me heal and the running is really a therapeutic thing for me as well - I have had more than a few runs where my face is wet from all tears (and occasionally frozen as the temps have been less than ideal around here lately! ;) It's incredible how healing that can be though......

I also started this blog as a way to help me share my passion for fashion with others in the blog community and give me a little personal time and escape. It has been such a wonderful thing for me and I have been inspired and encouraged by so many of you!

I am looking forward to this year being an incredible year and I am excited to see what God has in store for me personally and my incredible family. Good bye "34" and welcome "35"!  I am looking forward to my BEST YEAR EVER :)