Our Scarf Exchange plus BIG news!

Before we get to our Scarf Exchange, I have two really big things to tell you this Monday!  First...

...is coming Friday!  You ladies have been telling me that my blog is often like a pj party for us grown-up gals, so beginning this Friday, I will host a monthly pajama party!  Each month, I'll have a special guest co-host and we'll dish about topics us ladies would chat about at a grown-up slumber party.  My co-host is FABULOUS this month, you won't want to miss it!

And second...

...on Wednesday morning, I will be cooking live on Good Morning Texas!  That's right, yours truly will be cooking up breakfast live on a food segment for GMT.  If you're local, tune in to watch, if not, I will post the link on Wednesday so you can watch the playback.

And now for the Scarf Exchange...

Scarf Exchange 2013

Scarf Exchange 2012

On Labor Day night, we had our second annual Scarf Exchange!

Last year, we decided to get together on Labor Day night and properly kick-off fall with a scarf exchange.  Pretty much, we all love Starbucks and we all love scarves, so we created a way to unite the two.  It was such a success that we decided to do it again this year.  And after I posted this pic on Instagram, you people went nuts over our little party!  Here's what we do...

1. We each purchase one scarf and bring it to the party (we do it at Starbucks) wrapped in a bag.

2. We don't really set a limit on how much to spend, but you totally could.  I think we all just kind of know what to spend, what others would like, etc.  But if you feel like a limit would help your group, then by all means, set one.

3. After we get to Starbucks and chat a few minutes, we each draw a number off of little strips of folded up paper (so you don't know which number you're drawing).  There were 9 on us ladies on this night, so we each picked a number randomly (I drew the number 4).

4. The #1 girl goes first and selects a bag.  Then the #2 girl can either "steal" the scarf off of the #1 girl (in which case, #1 girl selects another bag) or select a bag of her own.  Once a scarf has been stolen twice, it can no longer be stolen.

5. After the last girl (in our case #9) selects her bag, then the #1 girl gets to go one more time and is allowed to keep the original scarf she drew or swap with one other person.  And then it's over and everyone keeps the scarf they have.

At Christmas, some people call this White Elephant and swap Christmas ornaments or other gifts...we just do it with scarves.

And since we're talking scarves, I thought I'd show you some of my current faves...

I am flipping over this leopard and navy scarf!  It comes in several other colors too (orange, red, mustard and green).  How cute and chic is this?!?!

I also love this plaid scarf (also in two other colors).  This baby just screams fall and winter :).

I know some of you love camo and some of you hate it.  If you're one that loves it, this camo scarf will rock your world...if you don't love it, move on to my next option :).

I received a houndstooth scarf last year as a gift and wore it all the time!  This one comes in multiple colors too...but the traditional black and white is my favorite.

And if you need something cheery and happy this fall, I love the pink polka dot scarf from Gap.  It's just happiness!

I'm so happy you loved our scarf party, and I hope when you have one, you send me a group pic :).  It's such a blessing to have sweet friends to share these simple moments with.

I have such a great group of girlfriends!  As you can tell, we all faithfully read Sheaffer's blog and wear what she suggests!  There were 5 of her denim jackets, 2 pair of camo pants and 3 pairs of nude flats there that night :).

Thanks to Sheaffer introducing me to the perfect pair of flats, I now own my very own pair.  I love, love, love them!

Look at Kensington and me on Thursday.  I'm wearing my new pair of leopard flats (the first time in my life that I've ever worn flats!), and Kensington is wearing her new pair too.

You guys also probably know Andrea (the one holding sweet Griffin!), she is our design guru.  She blogs at Never Say Never and also has her own design business.  She is responsible for all of my party invitations, party banners and decorations, baby announcements, shower invites, Christmas cards, blog design and blog graphics.  I mean...she basically works on stuff for me 24/7!  You should also check out her design blog called Slightly Askew Designs.

Last year at the scarf exchange, Andrea surprised us with this onesie in her scarf bag!  And now this year, we have Griffin :).

Erika is the cutie on the end wearing the first pair of camo pants :).  Her kiddos Ebby Lee, Nixon and Bowen are in at least half of my photos.  I feel like they're mine!  Erika likes to do a little bit of everything on her blog.   She's currently fixing up her new house with some really creative methods and projects.  I have DIY envy for sure!  You can find her family at the Slaughter Family Blog.

Erika is going to join me tomorrow as we celebrate decorating our homes for fall!

My other friends have blogged off and on over the years but right now, none of them are actively blogging.

I am so blessed to call each and every one of them a friend.  You should wear a scarf today...and think of us :).

Don't forget to check out my latest edition of Meal Planning Monday today!

And the winner of my You Knew Me When book giveaway is...

Tracy (with a dog named Skip!).  

I will be emailing you this morning to claim your prize.  Congratulations!

Have a great Monday!

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First Day of School

Yesterday was my kiddos first day of school.  Kensington started Pre-K and Smith started another year of preschool.  They were both excited but this mama was a little sad.  I love having my kids home during the day.  Even though they're only in school a few days a week, I miss them.  Next year, Kindergarten...and I'll be a sobbing mess!

My sweet girl :)

I love this boy so much!

Off we went to school!

We pulled up at the same time as Erika and her kiddos.  These four are growing up so fast!  It just seems like yesterday that Erika and I were lamenting over not being able to get pregnant.  My how things have changed :).

After school, we went to Party City to buy stuff for Kensington's birthday parties (yes, she gets two this year...a friend party and a family party...we'll see how this goes!).  When I turned around, both kids had on hats :).

They had a great day at school and were super sweet while we ran two errands.

While at Target, I saw this.  Seriously, the phrase "Praise the Lord" came out of my mouth.  Pumpkin Spice, Vanilla Heat, and Spiced Latte were on the shelves.  I bought all three...I'll keep you posted on what I think!

And today, we have a winner for the Workout Mama's online bootcamp!  

Congratulations to Julie LoPiccolo!! 

Tamara from the Workout Mama will be emailing you today to get you all signed up. 

 And if you still want to participate, tomorrow is the last day to register.  Click here for more details!

And for a fun after school snack for your crew, why don't you try my Maple and Oatmeal Baked Apples...

They would make a fantastic breakfast too!

Have a wonderful day!

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Find me on Pinterest here.
Find me on Instagram  @mixandmatchmama

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#shayeveryday2013 Week 31 plus I'm at Blue Eyed Bride's

First and foremost, I am guest posting today over at Blue Eyed Bride!  Click here to check it out!!

Day 211: Holy moly!  Sheaffer and I were causing a scene getting ready for our next edition of Shopping with Sheaffer and Shay (this Friday!).  And yes, I'm wearing flat shoes...it was a crazy experience.  I bought these super cute sandals and wore them to the mall...no wedges for Shay at the mall is pretty significant!

Day 212: Smith was in his happy place...Nixon's house, by the pool, with a water gun. :)

Day 213: My day started off finding Smith "reading" a book to his "kid".  Such a sweet boy.

Day 214: We spent the evening swimming with the birthday girl Erika!!  

Day 215: It was hot, the sun was bright, but we still had a fabulous Saturday!!

Day 216: My sweet friend Narci knows how much I love Cider Donuts from Michigan, so after driving all the way home from there on Sunday (over 20 hours!), she stopped by my house to deliver me two.  This is true friendship.

Day 217: We spent the morning swimming, swimming, swimming, so I let them have a popsicle picnic inside the house that afternoon.

Don't forget, you can keep up with me everyday on Instagram @mixandmatchmama...or you can find me here too...

Find me on Twitter here.

Find me on Face Book here.

Find me on Pinterest here.

And this morning, you will find me blogging over at Blue Eyed Bride!  Come check me out!!

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#shayeveryday2013 Week 30 plus some "firsts!"

Day 204: This is my happy hour.

Day 205: Working on a mosaic after nap time.

Day 206: The last day of Cheerleader Camp was successful!

Day 207: Thanks to Ms. Andrea's big find, Kensington had the perfect pink Wellies for our rainy Friday.

Day 208: I had the very best time celebrating sweet Kara's new baby boy (due this fall!) at her shower on Saturday night!  I also had the very best time catching up with my sweet friend Hilary (due this January!).

Day 209: In her Sunday school class, they had a box of dress up clothes.  Being the girl that she is, she automatically dressed up in this and declared herself Queen.

Day 210: We came home from our morning activities and found that the A/C wasn't running.  On a 99 degree day in Texas, you really need that A/C working!  Kensington laid down on the hardwood floors and declared that she would stay this way until the house cooled down.  Smart girl.  The floors were the coolest place in the house!  (And yes, we were able to get it working.  And by we, I mean, Andrew came home from work and fixed it until the repair guy could show up later that day.  Thank goodness for Andrew!)

And now for some "firsts" in our lives...

Smith discovered the rowing machine at Dick's Sporting Goods and has decided he wants to be a professional rower.  There are so many things wrong with this: 1. He doesn't like water deeper than 4 inches. 2. He doesn't like any kind of strenuous activity.  3. We don't live near water. 4. He's only three.

Last Saturday, we swapped kids with Erika and had our first sleepovers!  I had the boys and Erika had the girls.  It was so much fun!!  Believe it or not, two 3 year old boys can be so much fun!  

Best friends :)

Kensington loved her first sleepover!  She had the very best time!

Erika told the girls to "pose" the next morning.  And this is them.  These two are going to keep us on our toes in the coming years!

We also had our first cheerleader camp this week.  Monday was pretty rough and Kensington didn't like it.  Apparently, she had been placed in the kindergarten line instead of the preschool line and she was so confused/upset/sad about the whole thing that she wanted to quit.  We told her she had to go back at least one more day and try it again...and she LOVED IT!  Once she got in the right group, she was good to go.  I took her and Ebby Lee on this day, Crazy Hair Day, and they had so much fun!

Crazy hair for crazy girls!

On this day, I told Smith he didn't have to take a nap...but being the sleeper that he is, he found a spot and napped anyway.

Don't forget that tomorrow is our Pin-spired day!!  I can't wait to see how Pinterest has inspired you for the month of August!

I have my last official lunch of the summer posted on my foodie blog today...

...easy and delicious Monte Cristo Sandwiches.  My kids thought these were awesome!

Have the best day!

Find me on Twitter here.

Find me on Face Book here.

Find me on Pinterest here.
 Instagram @mixandmatchmama

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Kidd Kraddick

Words cannot honestly express my sadness over the death of national radio personality Kidd Kraddick.

When I was 12 years old, my dad and I started listening to a local DJ out of our hometown with this funny radio show.  His show grew into this national sensation and I listened every step of the way.  

Meeting Kidd last July was one of the highlights of my life.  He was so warm and friendly.  He hugged me, he asked me questions about my family, he was engaging and interested. He was fabulous.  Then when I went back this February, he not only remembered me, he remembered things we had discussed, he told me he followed me on Twitter...he was absolutely delightful.

Andrew and I are so sad for this loss.  Kidd was a huge part of not only our community, but of our mornings.  Andrew listened every morning while he was at the gym and in the car, while I listed from my i-Phone at home.  My heart breaks for Kidd's daughter, family and friends.

I checked Kidd's Twitter account tonight when I heard the news...and it still says that he follows me.  I am so honored.

I am thankful for all the laughs, all the memories, and my mornings won't be quite as bright any more.

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