Happy happy happy Friday, friends!
Tonight, we have the elementary school’s annual talent show and based on the dress rehearsal, we might still be there into Saturday morning.
Y’all…apparently, this year, the kids all have talent because there were a.lot.of.acts.
My littles are so, so, so excited, my bigs are less than thrilled, and Andrew is just shocked I was gone for so many H-O-U-R-S just for the dress rehearsal. The years might be short…but the talent show is long 😉 .
One quick update, two Fridays ago, I posted all about…
…my Pura and a sweet reader asked for an update to see if it was still as fragrant as it was when I first plugged it in. The answer is YES! I haven’t changed my cartridges in the almost three weeks that I’ve had it, and my upstairs still smells oh so lovely. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, head back to THAT POST 🙂 .
Finally, as always, I’m linking up with my friends Andrea and Erika and wishing you a wonderful weekend! xx
Awwwww this was for sure a fave of mine…
…last week, we wrapped up this first year of high school cheer for Kensington with their annual end of year banquet, and I am just so proud of my girl. They try out for cheerleader at the end of February (they’ve been having tryouts all week for this next season), and from beginning to end, I am just so proud. It’s been such a great experience, she’s made so many new friends, and I truly have loved every minute of watching my girl do something she loves.
I was the most, most proud though at the banquet when she, my once super, super shy and quiet girl, got up in front of about 150 people and gave a speech. Only a handful of girls gave speeches, and she stood there at that mic and nailed it.
If you’ve been around here a while then you might remember that K was once so profoundly shy that in the 3rd grade, they called Andrew and me into her school because they thought she couldn’t read. We were like “Um, yes, she reads. She reads all the time.” They were confused, we were confused, everyone was confused. The problem? She was so shy that at school she wouldn’t/couldn’t read in front of her teachers. If you have a kiddo out there who is young and oh so timid and shy (and struggling with it, she was clearly struggling with it!), I hope this is a bit of encouragement for you that things sometimes do change.
What do I think made the biggest difference for our kid?
Team sports.
Kensington started playing volleyball right around this same time, and it truly opened her completely up. She kind of turned into this different person overnight. Volleyball (and then later basketball and track) made her more confident, competitive, vocal, okay with criticism/correction/coaching, helped her learn to work with others as a team…you guys, team sports was instrumental in making our very shy girl into a very bold girl. I don’t know your child or your situation, but if I can encourage one other mama out there today, then I’m happy. I’m just super, super proud of my girl.
Oh so many fun things in blog world this week including MY DAY IN THE LIFE which prompted a lot of questions about…
… MY MIRROR! I have had this mirror now about two years and LOVE IT!!. It would make an excellent grad gift should you know any seniors this year too.
Speaking of love…
…you guys were so sweet this week in the comment section about my WORKOUTS IN A WEEK post. I’m just so thankful for this community, and I’m excited to continue to grow and better myself right along with you.
Hey, hey, hey, SPRING BREAK IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, and you know me, I AM OH SO PUMPED!!
Much more SB content comin’ up, but in the meantime, you know me…my favorite color to wear is black, so this next season (no matter what you’re up to!), I found us FIVE BLACK DRESSES FOR SPRING 🙂 .
I picked five different dress styles and different retailers (you will be very surprised by at least one!) to hopefully help everyone who might be needing a LBD find the perfect one.
I mean, my favorite kind of little black dress 🙂 . This one is soft, easy to dress up (with FUN HEELS) or wear with flats for running errands. It has pockets (yes, please!) and is just simple and easy to wear.
A little knit dress works for all occasions (this one also comes in a nice “oat” color too!).
For YEARS, I have been wearing…
…THIS DRESS IN NAVY. You guys, it’s only $25 but looks so much more expensive than that!
I decided this was the year to…
…buy it in black 🙂 .
I love it so much!! This dress also comes in about 11 other colors too!
THIS DRESS was such a surprise! I loved how the fit was slim but still loose and flowy, the straps are adjustable, it zips up the back, the material is nice and not sheer, and the price is oh so right! Super, super cute for spring!
Adorable 🙂
If you’re looking to show off those shoulders…
…this PLEATED MIDI DRESS can be worn with or without straps. It comes in so many other colors, but…I loved black the best!
There are so many spring occasions that require a dress, and this one would be an excellent choice for all of them.
And finally…
…I will be wearing THIS DRESS on repeat. It’s going on my SB vacation with me, it will go to Nantucket this summer. It is just easy and adorable.
It’s also priced really well and comes in a wide range of colors.
And just because it’s literally 72 degrees here today, I’m going to share these finds too…
…Wednesday’s #ootd included THIS SWEATER, but I tried on my new shorts and sandals with it too. I bought the shorts in both BLACK and…
…LIGHT.
Buuuuut because it is still February, I wore my sweater all day with…
…my jeans and flip flops that I’ve had for a while.
Hey, hey, hey! We would love to help you go to Walt Disney World AND SAVE!
You know my love for magical vacations runs deep…
…I get GIDDY each and every time I visit!!
If you want more information on heading to Disney too, we would love to help! Please reach out to us today! We would LOVE to help!
I’m wrapping up our week with MY BEST BUFFALO RECIPES!
From a soup to a salad, I even have a deviled egg recipe for you, we love Buffalo sauce and incorporate it in so many delicious recipes. Your weekend needs to try one!
I hope you have the best weekend, friends! I will see you back here on Monday!
Sending you so much love! xx
Natalie Lyles says
I remember cheer tryouts like it was yesterday! Lost one of my contacts one year during it and couldn’t read the sign the judge was holding on what to do next LOL! Gosh those were the best times and brought me out of my shell too. I hope at least one of my girls will cheer. Kensington is so beautiful. Y’all have a happy Friday and fun at talent show 💃🏻
Jenn says
Natalie, I remember mine too! I was in the 9th grade (which was called junior high back in the late 80’s) and started my period for the first time ON THE DAY OF TRYOUTS. I was so nervous but my best friend had already had hers for years, so she kept me calm. My dad was out of town on a business trip, so my bestie called her dad to bring me a pad. I should mention that my best friend’s dad was also my PREACHER. He showed up with a brown lunch bag and a maxi pad as long as an airport runway😂 We all still talk & laugh about it 35 years later! PS we both made the squad!
Natalie Lyles says
Oh my word I would have died Jenn! Too funny! So glad y’all made it though and you can laugh about it now. That’s something you’ll never forget. Yes those were great times!!! 🤗
Jess says
Do you have a link for the cute top you had on in your stories last night? Loved it! Also, have you tried different scents in your Pura or just stick to the two you mentioned? Just wondering if it’s easy to switch out scents if it’s auto ship. Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
So far, the two original scents that put in there still have life left in them, so I haven’t needed to swap them out. I can let you know when I do! I just went to see if my top was still online, but I don’t see it. It’s a cardigan from Sezane.
Elspeth says
So many fun favorites! Thanks for sharing! Have a wonderful weekend!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Addy J Robinson says
There is a Riki Loves Riki mirror at Costco online right now. Costco online gets incredible beauty products, I stalk it constantly!
Erika Slaughter says
I’m telling you-those Puras. Maybe my best purchase of 2024!
Mix and Match Mama says
Riiiiiiiiight?!
Lisa D says
Your girl K! She’s a lovely young lady
#5 Love the new shorts and the SANDALS! I can’t wait for warmer weather but, sigh, that’s still a few months away 😕
polly pover says
Thank you for framing, and differentiating between shyness that is a struggle and shyness that is a perfectly wonderful personality trait like every other individual personality trait. Sometimes extraverts see introversion as pathological; clearly you don’t. You saw that Kensington was struggling and supported her to not struggle!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU for this. I’m always so grateful for you, Polly! xx
Rita says
Thank you Polly. So true. My daughter was so shy that one of her teachers in not so many words expressed we should take her to see a psychologist! She was about 7 at the time. She was selective with whom she chose to show her beautiful personality to. Her starting high school was the best thing for her. She excelled. 17 now and has the most wonderful heart.
jennibell says
Thank you for the follow-up on your Pura! I’m going to take the plunge – I would love to set it so when I come home from work my house is “ready” for me.
So, I was “that” teacher in charge of the middle school talent show once upon a time – I GET IT!!! Ha! I saw so, so many kids bloom and “find their thing” over the years. The first year I brought it to our school I prayed that at least every parent would come, just so a few rows of the bleachers would be full. Shay, it was SOLD-OUT, standing room only!! I was blown away by the community’s support of these kids. I’m so glad you are requesting that the bigs come and support their sisters. . .it’s hard to insist that they attend everything (of course) but we were pretty insistent that siblings show up for one another as much as possible. Yes, sometimes bribes were involved 😉
So much goodness in your posts this week! Thanks for all the time you take to give recommendations, links, and suggestions. Happy Weekend!!
Mix and Match Mama says
You will LOVE IT!! It’s so nice to walk up there after school and smell that instead of stinky kiddos. Thank YOU for your sweet comment. I am so encouraged and feel so very loved by sweet readers like yourself. Have the best weekend! xx
Melonie Zielinski says
Hi Shay! I loved your black workout top from your post on Monday, where is it from?
Thanks! Have a great weekend!
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh I love that one! It’s here and comes in other colors too: https://shopstyle.it/l/b8o3D
Kelli says
Pretty sure you’ve got a marketable quote there with the years are short, talent shows are long…! Made me laugh!
Thank you for all the work you do making your blog interesting to read! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU for stopping by each day. I hope you have a wonderful Friday!!
K.K. says
Oh, talent shows!! That is going to be FUN! And I’m wondering if your littles are in it?!
And about Kensington – I SO relate, and I didn’t “find my voice” until much later in life than her. It’s fun to “see” her grow up in your blog across years as well as Smith, Ashby, and Madeley! Do your thing, K! 🙂 All the cheers from over here!
Becky G says
Congrats to your sweet K! Seeing our kids excel and grow in what they love, with just the right form of confidence building is so rewarding! I was brought into my son’s preschool and told he needed to be tested because he couldn’t follow simple instructions. My husband and I were so confused as he followed them just fine at home. A very wise and cherished principal handed me a book “The Highly Sensitive Child” and it was life changing for him (and us). He was overwhelmed, overstimulated etc. in his classroom and just shut down. We stopped trying group sports (he HATES sports, we now know that) but he absolutely rocked his middle school play where he had 120 lines. We looked at each other like who is this amazing confident kid. So very rewarding! Mamas don’t give up. Find what your child is passionate about, and encourage them to grow through it. Thanks so much for sharing!
Sheaffer says
My goodness I remember that reading story like it was yesterday. So proud of K!!!!
Julie says
Pura – some essential oil scents are toxic to animals.
Cinnamon , lavender and citrus are some examples.
I didn’t realize this, when I bought my Pura.
Kit says
Happy Friday Shay!! OK I’m totally going to buy the Pura and wanted to follow up with you on it!! Does it cover a big area of home like if it’s an open floor plan first floor is it gonna make it all smell good?! Or is it better for a smaller area? Things like Scentsy and wall plug-ins do *nothing* for my open floor plan first floor so I would love to find something that works 🙂 Thx so much!!!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I only have one (so far!) and it’s upstairs in my family room (that’s pretty open). I would say that room and a bit in the hallway smell amazing (I could ‘turn it up more’ but I don’t). It’s not as fragrant as a candle, but certainly fragrant.
Teresa says
What are you favorite podcasts? You named them yesterday on your stories, but no longer there. Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
Right now, Cynthia Thurlow, Peter Attia and The Girlfriend Doctor (with Anna Cabecca).
Anne says
Would love to hear your approach on makeup/beauty for K now that she is a teenager. Do you and Andrew have any special rules/do’s and don’t’s for that sort of thing?
Mix and Match Mama says
She’s always been so “good” about this stuff and never pushed any boundaries/etc that so far, we haven’t had to establish any rules around it.
Lori Whittington says
Kensington is beautiful!! Team sports are amazing for kids to be a part of. Just curious could she not play volleyball if she cheered? Is it an either/or activity in Texas? Good luck with the talent show! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes, at our high school level here in McKinney (at the three public schools at least), you can’t do both due to the time commitments/scheduling. She loved volleyball but loved cheer more.
Marlene Manell says
I agree with you about team sports helping children and young adults find their own. Not everyone can or likes sports. An alternative is music in Middle and High School. Whether in Concert, Marching or Jazz Band, Orchestra, Chorus, A cappella, these too are “team sports” building confident young adults, teaching them about team work, commitment, work ethics, time management and they make great & long lasting friends. But you know that because you dohave a musician in your family!
Kristen says
Can you link K’s dress and shoes?
Mix and Match Mama says
They’re both Amazon finds!
Dress: https://shopstyle.it/l/b8vgs
Shoes: https://shopstyle.it/l/b8vgV
Lindsey Watt says
This might be a weird question, but does K ever ask for a certain style of dress and you veto it? Our HS daughter came home suggesting a very short dress/ skirt to wear to the dance, and we didn’t know what to say! We want her to have autonomy but are trying to also navigate keeping it somewhat decent. We settled on how it looked when she sat down. Would love to hear if you have encountered this!
Mix and Match Mama says
Occasionally, yup!
Kim Carberry says
I hope the talent show went well!
Your girl looks stunning, good luck her with the cheerleading. You must be so proud of her. My youngest a few years ago was so shy and we ended up taking her to specialists as we thought there was more to it. There wasn’t, it just took her time to come out of her shell.
Your little black dresses are so cute and I love those heels!
Lauren Muraco says
Kensington’s dress is so cute. Do you have a link? My daughter liked it too!
Mix and Match Mama says
It was an Amazon find! Only $30 🙂 . https://shopstyle.it/l/b8vgs