ANOTHER $50 Kroger giftcard giveaway!

As you guys know, we have been at the beach the past week hanging out with our family. I encourage everyone to spend some time doing the same. The fabulous folks at Kroger have decided that since so many of you entered in our last $50 Kroger giveaway that we could do it again! So, just comment below about why you like shopping at Kroger and be entered to win ANOTHER $50 Kroger giftcard. Wheee!!

Kroger has great ways to allow you to save money and time so you can hang with your family.  The winner will be announced next week!

And why you're there don't forget to take the “Kroger Challenge” get your entire shopping list done at Kroger! Download their new app, complete your shopping list, and get to shopping!

Also, don't forget to download the 2x Fuel Points digital coupon  to earn double Fuel Points while taking the “Kroger Challenge”!!

It's a great time to grab some things to get ready for the 4th of July!







I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Three Year Portraits

What, you say??? My babes are 3 AND A HALF? Surely you jest.

Actually, yes, they are 3.5 (that sounds better, no?). And I am REALLY REALLY late in doing their 3 year portraits. But, I had some done at Christmastime for our Christmas Cards, and dang it, it's not my fault they turned three right after Christmas on January 8!! (actually, um, I guess I could be partly to blame)

Alas, in all their cuteness glory, here are our three year portraits. Taken by the fabulous Lindy Buss of Simply Charming Photographs. Just recently, at three and a half. So sue me :)

Help a sista out and vote for us! Just two clicks! Much appreciated :)

4th of July with Kroger and Giftcard Winner!

Nashville's fabulous fireworks

Congrats to............

Steph!!

Truth! I am loving the fuel points as well as this summer!

YAY! You are the lucky recipient of the $50 Kroger giftcard. I'll contact you for the details. Congrats!

I really enjoyed reading everyone's comments about why they like shopping at Kroger. Again, I love it. It's my home store and the store I grew up going to. I love how each and every store is layed out the same and it makes it easy to get through with two 3-year-olds. (and the car carts are nice too)

Don't forget the awesome fuel bonus!

Thank you for following along as I posted about how Kroger is helping be my one-stop-shop this summer by saving time and money. I have love using it differently as more than a grocery store and have used that extra time with the fam. Don't forget to use them for all your 4th of July needs. They are the perfect place for everything cookout and clean-up! Grab your burgers, buns and Bounty, lol!!

Grab all your Bounty, burgers, plates, buns, and Tide for cleaning up your ketchup stains!

Thank you so much to Kroger for this great series. and ***cough, cough*** there might be ONE more giveaway coming up if you missed the last one!

I hope you guys have an AWESOME 4th with your families!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Heading Outdoors

We are so lucky to live in such a fabulous city that has so much green space and outdoor fun. You can head on to the Natchez Trace and hike, rent a canoe at Tip-a-Canoe, or, if you are like me...just sit outside and have an adult beverage, grill some steaks and cook s'mores by the fire.

Yes, oh yes, that is much more my idea of "being in the outdoors".  Growing up, my family came close to venturing down that path to camping. My dad bought an actual pop up trailer. It sat in my driveway for many many years. We even took it out a couple of times and did the "camping thing". I was in elementary school so don't remember too much about it. I remember alot of rain, and learned quickly that it just wasn't my thing. We ended up putting the camper in our backyard and me and my friends would just sleep in my backyard. That was way more fun.

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Its easy when you live around here to make some awesome memories with the outdoors.  We have been catching fireflies (or lightning bugs). This is the first summer living in our new neighborhood and I've got to say that I LOVE our lightning bugs! They are everywhere! Not sure if its the new area we live in, or if I'm now seeing them all from the eyes of a three year old, but they are out in abundance and my kiddos love them. It's so sweet to go through these summertime outdoor traditions with my kids.

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It's just something about living in the south I think. Fires, lakes, and s'mores are a staple. But before you head that way, please stop at Krogers and get all your essentials! Bug spray:check. Citronella candles: check. Firestartes and charcoal: check. Adult beverage: check. S'mores staples? check.

Go ahead and build your shopping list using your mobile app, check out this week's promotions and you're all set!

This week, take advantage of the Buy 10, save $5 Mix and Match deals.

Don't forget the digital coupon for 2X Fuel Points & make your time & money go farther this Summer and go enjoy the outdoors!

And also, I am drawing on Wednesday for the $50 Kroger gift card! Go here to enter.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Super Moon

So who else saw the "Super Moon" this weekend? I am not going to lie, I have been pretty excited about it and I am so glad I didn't miss it.

I have kind of an obsession with all things celestial. As a younger gal, I loved the stars and knew most constellations just by looking at the sky and could point to each. In college, I had a constellation map hung up in my room and mapped out the star paths (nerdish). I took astronomy in college as well and my boyfriend at the time bought me a telescope for Christmas. 

So, to say I was excited to see this BEAUTIFUL moon is an understatement. There is something about looking up in the sky that just provokes this awe-inspiring moment in me. I feel so small, so insignificant, but at the same time feel like there is a huge fabulous world out there just waiting to be explored. It's amazing!

Hilton Head Fountain Cuteness

We got back from Hilton Head last week, and it was so much fun!! The kiddos had a blast and it was great that Jake and my sisters got to go as well and hang out with my dad.

Hilton Head is all sorts of family fun and one area that we love is Coligny Plaza. There are cafes, bars, a breach-front tiki hut and the fountains. The babes loved it!

$50 Kroger Giftcard giveaway and video cuteness

As you guys know, we have been at the beach the past week hanging out with our family. I encourage everyone to spend some time doing the same. Kroger has great ways to allow you to save money and time so you can hang with your family. And they are super nice and giving away a $50 gift card! Woohoo! All you have to do is comment below letting me know why you like shopping at Kroger. The winner will be announced next week!

And why you're there don't forget to take the “Kroger Challenge” & get your entire shopping list done at Kroger! Download their new app, complete your shopping list, and get to shopping!

Also, don't forget to download the 2x Fuel Points digital coupon  to earn double Fuel Points while taking the “Kroger Challenge”!!




The babies had their first ever experience listening to Gregg Russell . He is a singer and entertainer for kiddos in Hilton Head. He has been performing under the old oak tree in Harbour Town for as long as I can remember and it was such a cool experience to see my kids up on stage with him.

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Aaaahhh, love it.


I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Spending Time with Family

This week the Baby Striblings and I are visiting my dad at the beach. Jake and my sisters are also here with us, so its been great to just relax and hang out with our family (or as much as one can relax with 3-year-old twins!)

Kroger has really been a life-saver for vacations like this. Especially being on vacation, you really don't want to spend alot of time at the store. You want to go in - get what you need at one stop- then spend that remaining time doing family things.

I encourage all of you to take some time this week and just hang out with your family: take a walk, play board games - or just watch a movue together! It's the perfect time of year to do just that.

We all shop at Kroger to save time & money to be able to hang with our families during these fun summer months. And can I say how much I am LOVING the Kroger gas promotion since traveling to the beach? Woohoo!

So, save yourself time and money and use  the Kroger mobile app, check out this week's promotions, and get your things and get out quick! Summer will be over fast and you won't get that time back!
This is your last week to take advantage of their buy 5, save $25 deal... and be sure to check back this week for an awesome giveaway!


I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Happy Fathers Day with Kroger!!

Happy upcoming Fathers Day! It's that time of year again that fathers across the states get lovely things like ties and underwear, amirite?

Actually poor Jake has Father's Day and his birthday lumped into one gift usually. His birthday is June 29th, so they fall about two weeks apart. However, Jake usually gets pretty good gifts. He has received a laptop before, then an ipad, iphone, and most recently, a Big Green Egg Grill!

Jake loves the Green Egg, and we use it all the time. Kroger has some great deals this week to get your entire house ready for that special day in your family's life. 

Since I've got grilling on the brain (and since that is probably Jake's favorite thing to do ever) I will more than likely be heading there to stock up! They have Kingford Charcoal on sale this week to start the grilling, Simple Truth ground round for patting out the burgers, Simple Truth Organic greens for the perfect side salad, and Coronas for toasting Fathers Day!  It's super easy to shop when you add all these things using your Kroger app. Not to mention the awesome 2X Kroger Fuel Points promotion!

Don't forget to pick up the perfect staples like Bounty Towels and Tide Laundry Detergent. They are the perfect items to add to your cart for the $5 for $25 sale! Also take a look at all the rest of the AWESOME deals this week - perfect for saving time and money and having the oh so perfect Fathers Day. 

So, spend the weekend spending time with Dad at his favorite place - the backyard, instead of those pesky ties that go unworn. 

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Potty training can suck it.

I'm honestly to my wit's end on potty training. I know there are so many moms out there facing much harder problems and decisions with their little ones, but I'm just having one of those really bad days that make me want to cry. I pull up to daycare so excited to see my babes and go find that all-to-familiar plastic bag with his underwear and shorts inside. 

I don't know what to do. I am honestly enraged at this point. He knows EXACTLY what to do. He is three and a half and is just selfish. He goes when he wants and if he's busy having fun or playing well so be it. He goes in his pants. Other times he goes and is proud of himself, etc. We missed our window with him. He should have potty trained at 2.5, definitely by 3, but for some reason we got around to doing it in April. He got in within two days, but has accidents REGULARLY. 

I know they tell you not to punish, etc but honestly I am so mad right now I did. It completely ruined my entire day to go and see that little bag there waiting on me with yet another note on needing an extra change of clothes. 

Suggestions, advice, prayers welcome. 

It was just one of those bad days... 

A Perfect Phone Picture

I love my DSLR camera. Adore it, really and might marry it if I could. But I really, REALLY love my iPhone. Not only is it an extension of my being, and can do everything but fly a plane, but is one of those really great contraptions that allow you to take quick shots like this in a split second when you don't have your big DSLR. And I thank the iPhone Gods for allowing this precious moment to be captured. Not to mention the sun, lighting, silhouettes, etc were like OMG fabulous. 

SOS, Weekend Roundup - It's finally summer!

This weekend, as most, seemed to go by like super fast. Friday night was one of those perfect summer days. The kids and I went over to a good high school friends house for a happy hour - kids included. I know, right? It's like we're kids and adults all at the same time. After that brought pizza on the deck with neighbors, friends, and their kids - great weather, great wine, the whole shebang.

Rainy Saturday came and what we though would be a fun pool day turned into Dance Party USA in the den - but those are fun too :)

Sunday the kiddos headed off to Grama's house while Jake and I had us a little date day. I somehow managed to convince him to see The Great Gatsby* with me, and then we went downtown for the Hall and Oates show at the Ryman. We saw them the last time they were here. As much as I love the Ryman, I also love to get up and dance at concerts, and every time I'm here, noone seems to want to do that.

*Oh my, so much to talk about with this movie!! First off, I'm a huge fan. Loved the book as a wee gal in high school. Add to that my minor obsession with Robert Redford and high society New York...well, I loved The Great Gatsby. So, I was uber exited when I hear about the remake and even moreso when Leonardo Dicaprio was starring along with Isla Fisher who is drop-dead perfection, and Baz Luhrmann directing (He of the Moulin Rouge fame- you know how I love Broadway Musicals, so I must heart him). Well....here we go. I liked it- I liked it pretty well. There were so many times when I though Leo WAS Robert Redford all the way to his forehead creases. I thought everything about it was beautiful, and it followed the story and the drama really well. And dare I say it, the Jay Z music fit! How is that possible?? I hate to say it but I'm not sure Baz was the one that needed to direct it. He is so colorful and sweeping and all that, but it can also come off as a little cartoony, which it did at times. And did you think that the guy that played Tom Buchanan reminded me a little too much on the actor that spit on Joey in the Friends episode where Chandler and Monica got married?? Just me? But, I did like it. It may be because I am in the midst of a Gossip Girl pandemonium and am currently in season 4, so right now high society New York is clearly my obsession. (sigh...I need to live there)

All in all, a good weekend in Casa De Stribs.

A pic of my and the babes before church on Sunday before we dropped them off..Happy Week!
(believe it or not, they are smiling with their eyes closed, le sigh)

On Moi: Dress: Romeo and Juliet Couture//Necklace: Stella and Dot (obsessed with it!)//Shoes: Jessica Simpson (hehe)//Purse: Gucci
On Jules: Dress and Pants: Matilda Jane//Shoes: Old Navy
On Josh: Shirt: HandM//Shorts: Polo//Shoes: Sperry Topsiders

p.s. my first time wearing a maxi. Finally found one that fit! At 5'1", it's hard, ya'll. However, still having to wear 3" wedges