Erin Akin Carroll

 

1. Essie “Bottle Service”

On my fingernails or toenails… I just love how bright this color is!

2. Essie “First Timer”

I love this color on my toes.

3. Emi Jay hair ties

I love these! And a sweet friend actually made some for me. I love that they are cute and don’t leave creases in my hair.

4. Tom Ford “Alicia” sunglasses

These are on my wish list! I tried them on a month or so ago and I’m obsessed. Anyone want to buy them for me?

5. Scout by Bungalow 4 Boys Bag

This bag is the essential pool and beach bag. You can easily wipe it out and it seriously holds everything. It will hold four towels… and whatever else we need to bring to the pool.

6. White eyelet tunic

This is the one I have from Anthropologie two summers ago, and I wear it all the time. It’s so lightweight. I’m on the hunt for a new one that I love as much as this one.

7. J.Crew 5 inch Chino Shorts

These shorts never change or go out of style. The 5 inch is plenty short for me and over the years I’ve gotten them in quite a few colors. They’re comfortable and wash well and hold up well over time.

8. Callisto “Tiara” Wedge Sandal

Sheaffer first introduced these to me a few weeks ago and they’ve been on my wish list ever since. I finally ordered my pair in “putty” and they were backordered. And then they weren’t. And then they were again. And then they finally shipped. I still don’t have them in my hands (or on my feet), but I should have them in the next couple of days. I just love them! (And you must read Sheaffer’s blog because she’s just the best shopping enabler of all time! And she’s hilarious.)

9. PhytoMist Instant Hydrating Conditioner

This is a spray-on conditioner that I use when I get out of the shower. But I also love it as a detangler for pool and beach days. My hair is course and wavy and can be a hot mess when I get out of the water and it starts to air dry. This stuff is awesome to throw in my pool bag and spray on my hair when I get out.

10. Stella and Dot Serenity Stone Earrings in Turquoise 

I have these earrings in green and I absolutely love them. The size is perfect and the color is bold. Now I want the turquoise pair because it’s just a great summer color!

11. Lilly Pulitzer Beach Pant

I bought these pants before we went to the Greenbrier. (You remember the no-denim dress code?) They are so comfortable, so flattering, and so lightweight. They’re perfect for summer. I have them in navy, but I’d love one of the prints! (I know! Who I am? Wanting a Lilly print? I can’t help myself!)

 

1. AG Tomboy Crop Jeans

I love that the leg is a little wider so they don’t feel too tight in the heat. Ick. These jeans are super comfortable and a great weight for summer without being see-through!

2. Gap Long and Lean White Jeans

These are my all time favorite white jeans. I have worn them for years! They’re flattering and comfortable and the rise is higher, so it’s great for playing with kids. I have a pair that I have hemmed to wear with flats and a pair that I keep longer to wear with heels. These are my favorite!

 

What are your summer must haves?

This post isn’t going to be about the mommy wars. It’s about confidence. And when we have confidence, we’re not part of the mommy wars. We can’t feel attacked. As my mom always said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.”

I think with access to social media, all moms are exposed to more ideas and parenting ideas than ever before. And I think it’s natural to feel threatened when we see an approach that’s different than the one we took.

I know, for me personally, as a new mom, I felt extremely threatened when I felt like someone was doing it differently than I was. And then I’d get defensive when I’d see someone criticize the way I was doing it.

Most of this is due to social media. I had to stop reading a lot of blogs. If there was a blog that triggered negative feelings in me, I stopped reading it. Because the mom who was writing the post? She loves her kids.

And those negative feelings that were triggered? Are my own problem.

The mom I see doing any part of motherhood differently than I do? She loves her kids just like I love mine. And there’s really no right or wrong way. As long as our kids are safe and healthy and loved? That’s all that matters.

My friend, Ellen, told me once that when we have strong emotional reactions to something, it’s usually a sign that something inside of us is unsettled.

When I feel threatened by what another mother is doing, that’s because of something that I feel insecure about in myself. It’s my own heart issue.

I know that my boys are happy and healthy. And most importantly, I know that my boys are loved. I’m doing my very best to show them the love of Jesus every single day, and lead them to the Lord. I pray that each decision I make every day is made in love. I pray for guidance and pray for the Lord to speak through me.

I’m not a perfect mother. My kids aren’t perfect kids. I’ve had to learn my way through their young little lives. All of my choices haven’t been the absolute best ones. But they were the best ones in that moment. And I had to learn through it.

But I have always loved my boys, and have always tried to do what is best for them and best for our family.

It’s okay that my friends don’t mother exactly as I do. Their decisions for their families aren’t an attack on me. They have nothing to do with me.

Feeling confident in my motherhood decisions and tuning out the negative thoughts and feelings goes a long way.

Most importantly, I have to remember that His grace is enough. It is through His grace that I can move from one day to the next and feel confident in my decisions.

But mostly, I feel confident in His love for me.

*Link up with Jennifer, Kelly, Courtney, and me and share your story!

');

I feel like I’ve got so much to say, but not enough for a big blog post!

1. The boys’ Peter Pan extravaganza was this weekend and it was so much fun! If I can get my act together I’ll blog about it this week.

This may have been my very favorite part of the party!

2. My parents were here this weekend for the birthday party. Having my whole family together for the weekend was fantastic. I really can’t think of anything better. I love this picture of my mom and Hayes on FaceTime on Mother’s Day. It’s so hard to be 800 miles away from my parents, but technology makes it a lot easier.

 

3. Walker was here last week, too, and the boys loved playing with him! We had a Bojangles picnic outside in the yard and really loved the pleasant temperatures last week.

3. Hudson had a soccer game last week and received his very first trophy. He was so excited! He has really done a great job this season and has learned a lot about the game. It’s been a big commitment for all of us, but I’ve loved watching him improve and get more into the game. And he loves seeing all of his friends.

 

And the sweet little JV team of 1 and 2 year olds cheering on their brothers and sisters from the sidelines!

4. I finished Scandal. I watched Season 1 and Season 2 from start to finish in about a week’s time. And then I was able to watch the finale the night it aired. And now I don’t really know what to do with myself. I am missing Olivia Pope! If you haven’t watched Scandal, do it this summer! I even got KK hooked and she watched the whole thing, too. Watch it now!

5. I’m trying to find a new show to watch with Todd this summer. Maybe House of Cards on Netflix? I feel like we’ve seen everything else!

6. The second floor of our house is being framed name. It’s so exciting to watch it all come together. I am going to answer all of your questions about it in a blog post. I currently have a large white farm sink sitting in Nana’s garage. The sink was one of our big “must haves.”

7. We haven’t booked our summer vacation yet and I’m itching to pull the trigger to get back to Isle of Palms!

8. Our Sunday School class had an indoor picnic yesterday after church and then we had a big family game of kickball. It was so much fun! I was on “Hayes duty,” but Hayes just wanted to be in the outfield with his Daddy. He was so excited to get to be a part of the team.

9. Todd and I went to the Carrie Underwood concert a few weeks ago and had the best time. This was our second time to see her and she is just as amazing as ever. She belts it out all night long and looks absolutely stunning. I just love her!

10. I love this side-by-side comparison of Hayes in the first week of school and in the last week of school. I can’t believe how much he has grown up!

11. Don’t forget about Build ‘Em Up tomorrow. We’ll announce more topics soon because we’ve loved keeping this going and connecting with so many of you! Tomorrow’s topic is all about our parenting differences and we should be confident in motherhood.

A couple of my favorite “mom bloggers”, Courtney and Julia from The Chirping Moms, are hosting a really fun event this weekend called “Yellow Friday.” You can read all about Yellow Friday here. The event starts today and runs through Sunday. Some of your favorite small businesses are giving discounts this weekend with the yellow Friday coupon code! So read below to find out where to shop! 

SHOP YELLOW FRIDAY at  

The Chirping Moms!

Yellow Friday, Spring Fling edition, has FINALLY arrived! 

All shop deals are revealed below.  In the next few hours, keep an eye on the blog   for follow-up posts  with more information about each shop and details on their deal.  All deals will run through Sunday at midnight. There are LOTS of great deals at fantastic stores.  If you have any questions, feel free to email the chirpingmoms@gmail.com. We are so excited to bring this fun shopping extravaganza to you!
EVERY shop is using the same code:  yellowfriday 
Anne Riggs Designs:  Spend $50 in shop and get a free set of 25 makeup/facial pads AND mesh laundry bag, value $16 

The BBQ Pantry:  20% off 

Baxter & Beatrice:  25% off 

The Beaufort Bonnet Company:  15% off  

Carly Megan:  25% off 

Dolphin Organics:  25% off sunscreen and aloe based lotion 

The Idea Box:  25% off 

LB Originals: 25% off plus gift when you spend over $100 

The Little Crane:  10% off 

London Times:  30% off 

Love Bubs:  20% off 

Messy Kids Designs: Buy One Shirt, Get Another One 50% off 

Mis-Tee-V-US:  25% off 

Miss Monogram:  15% off and Free Bow when you spend over $100 

Missy Madewell:  25% off 

Olivia and Owen:  20% off 

Posh Princess Bowtique:  20% off 

The Recycled Bin:  “Spend More, Save More” deal…see detailed post for more info! 

Refined Inspirations:  20% off 

Ruffles and Twirls:  20% off 

Sila Boutique:  15% off 

Simply (Darr)ling:  20% off 

Smock Your Tot Website or Etsy Shop or Facebook:  20% off 

Snapping Turtle Kids:  30% off 

Starlight Woods:  15% off 

Owl Be Sweatin:  15% off 

Wild Sprout Design:  20% off
Again, EVERY shop’s coupon code:  yellowfriday.
Thank you for shopping with The Chirping Moms!
Earn entries in the giveaway below by shopping or sharing these deals on social media! You could win a $25 Amazon.com gift card! 
a Rafflecopter giveaway