The Facebook Family Phenomenon

Facebook is a pretty interesting animal–something that has fascinated me for quite some time. I really noticed its uniqueness this past weekend with Mother's Day. It has increasingly become the norm for Facebook users to change their profile picture on special days, notably on Mother's Day, people post an endearing photo of them with their mom. It's traditionally a childhood picture that implies sweet memories and parental doting of the children. The captions give "shout outs" and words of gratitude to their hard-working moms. It's affectionate, but it's so incredibly public.

And I partake in the public displays of affection, too! (My mom even posted the photo above.) But I think it's a little bizarre.

In the big picture, it seems as though if we really cared about our beautiful moms, we would call them and actually say the things we post on Facebook; we'd go home to spend the day with her; we would make it personal, not public.

For the record, I give my mom a ring and let her know how much I love her. And the funny thing is, she appreciated the little note on Facebook. I wonder, though, how these holidays would be different if Facebook remained the social media platform, leaving us to do the human things, like saying I love you.

(P.S. Facebook gifts are also weird.)

Mom: My Biggest Cheerleader

My high school graduation with a proud and awesome mom. 

Who's your biggest cheerleader? My mom has always been the one encouraging me to do my best, but never be too hard on myself. She sat through all my dance recitals, show choir competitions, and cheered when I got my college acceptance letters. And when I have chaotic days, the ones when I'm pretty sure I just can't do it all, she's the one to tell me that I can do it. She brags for me, and reminds me that success is not necessarily the same as being the best. Thank you, Mom! You're the one that makes me feel invincible in the face of challenges!

Bonus: she was a cheerleader in high school! How perfect.

Who's your biggest cheerleader? What does your mom do that no one else can top?

What Does Your Mom Do For You?

My mom does a lot of little things to make me feel really special. She has a trick for knowing when my life is stressful, when I've had a bad day, or when I just need a little extra attention. She knows what to say and when, and has a million surprises up her sleeve for me. Here are some totally endearing, motherly things she does for me that I love.


Even if I've only been home for a weekend, she strips my bed when I leave, so the next time I come home I have crisp, clean sheets. "It's just like a hotel," she says.

We talk almost every night on the phone, but sometimes she sends me cards, because she knows I like getting mail that isn't junk or school-related.

Buys my favorite cereal for when I'm home.

Does my laundry, even when I insist that I do it!

Like so many moms, she loves to spoil me on surprise shopping trips. On a weekend visit, what I had hinted at for my birthday (still a while away!) turned out to be a surprise gift just for fun.

Reads every article I write, no matter how busy she is.

Got an Instagram account so we could "follow" each other's lives in pictures.

Scratches my back at night, just like when I was a little girl.

Is brave enough to say, "Yes, that haircut is really ugly." And then in a wonderfully motherly fashion adds, "But you could never be ugly. You're beautiful."

Records TV programs that I miss, so when I come home I can have TV marathons with her. She will re-watch episodes of the Sunday Morning Show or Fashion Police just so she can watch it with me.

Reminds me that a little gloating is good for you. And if I don't, she'll do it for me.

What does your mom do for you that you love? How does she make you feel special?

What Have You Learned From Your Mom?

Move-in day my Freshman year of college.

Inspired by a wonderful post by Joanna Goddard, I thought I'd share what I've learned from my Mom. She is a really spectacular person, someone I admire most in life. I owe so much to her, and this is what I know. Here are ten things I've learned from my fabulous mother!

1. No matter how tired you are, wash your face every night before you go to bed.

2. Nobody cares if your house is perfect. It shouldn't look like a museum, anyway. It should look like people live there.

3. Chewing your nails is gross, but a near impossible habit to break. (I recently stopped! For good, I think!)

4. There's nothing wrong with being a successful, intelligent woman who still goes gaga over celebrities, reads gossip magazines, and loves a good shopping spree.

5. Clean sheets always make you feel special.

6. Love and hate are very similar, so be careful. Don't waste your passionate energies hating someone, when it's much less tiring (and less dramatic) to simply be indifferent.

7. Family is not determined by blood lines.

8. Wear makeup to enhance your natural beauty; don't use it as a mask, because you are so beautiful already.

9. Men will be stupid sometimes, but that doesn't mean you should give up on all of them.

10. Talk about everything. Especially over coffee.

{Mother's Day Gift Guide}...Spa Day at Home

Mom's work so hard, especially mine! I'm amazed at everything she does, and I know she could use a day just to pamper herself. But instead of shipping her off to some salon, why not turn her house into a beautiful oasis? She could even have it be like a girls' day with some of her friends. To get things all serene, you'll want to have some essentials:

The softest, feather-light robe to lounging. 

A great sea sponge for soaking in the tub or for pedicures.

Insane moisturizing cream that has anti-aging components. Not that she needs it!

Eye cream to relax and look refreshed.

Hand and body lotion that will give her radiantly soft skin.

Nail polish in pretty spring hues to brighten even most dull tasks, like washing dishes. 

Staying true to the spa theme, serve lotus blossom tea. (If she begs for coffee, she can have it. It's her day, after all!)

A lavender candle from Aveda. They donate money to a wonderful charity with this!

Luxurious pajamas, so she feels like a fabulous queen. 

{Weekend Update}...An Early Mother's Day

An oldie, but a goodie from our high school senior pictures. One of my favorites. 

This weekend my parents came over to visit (and start to haul a bunch of our belongings back to our hometown) since school will be out in less than two weeks! Although Mother's Day is technically next week, we decided to celebrate a week early since we'd be with our Mom. Next week, I'll give her a call so we can chat for hours about how excited we are over our impending return home! My mom is one crazy awesome, inspiring woman, so I'll still be talking about her this week, too!

We got our mom a little gift bag of goodies for Mother's Day this year. Abby made it beautifully color schemed and everything. 

1. A BKR, because they're gorgeous and awesome.

2. Pencils that say "You are so beautiful." because she is. 

3. A Baggu bag for all her errands, escapades, and more.

4. Cheeky sticky note pad.

5. A coffee pin for the one who taught us how to drink. Coffee, that is. 

Top photo c/o Genesis Photography

{Mother's Day Gift Guide}...The Colorful Hostess

Do you have a mom that loves to throw parties? My family has a tendency to throw impromptu parties for no reason at all. (We're having a "welcome home/summer" party in a few weeks, even though Abby & I live only an hour and a half away and visit often!) My mom has a bright personality, and our parties reflect it, too! For the "hostess with the mostest", here are some summer-fun essentials!

Three section water color serving platter.

Every hostess needs some classy bling.

Perky green nails for everyone to admire while she serves up the ice cream.

Champagne box for easy transport from party to party.

A colorful handbag for when the party moves from home to out on the town.

Beautiful serving bowls for her homemade dip and chex mix.

Spunky pillows funky seating.

Orange lips for those party pics you never forget.

How Do Tell Your Mom, "I love you."?

With Mother's Day almost here, I'd love to know how you let your mom know she's one special lady. It seems like such a basic thing, we say it every time we end a phone conversation, or leave the house, or go to bed. But then we have a special day, some call it a Hallmark Holiday, just for moms. How do you tell her that she's the greatest?

Here are some of mine:

Sometimes I'll send my mom one of those cute/silly emojis in a text message. Just that. A flower, or sunshine, or a heart, just so she knows I'm thinking about her.

When I'm home on university vacation, and she's still in school (elementary public school and college schedules never align!) I'll surprise her by bringing coffee and breakfast from our favorite cafe.

Making her bed and laying a new magazine on her nightstand.

Lighting a candle and preparing a snack, so the minute she comes home from school she can just relax.

Even if we see her when we leave for school, Abby and I like to leave a Post It somewhere in the house with a little note (and usually a heart).

I let her use, barrow, or keep my favorite lipstick.

Make coffee the same way she does, just so it tastes perfect to her.

Text, email, or even Instagram pictures of everyday life for her, so she can see how exciting or boring my college life is.

Photo via

How Are You Like Your Mom?

Abby and I are constantly told we are just like our Mom, which I take to be a compliment, because my mother is a beautiful, intelligent, hilarious, and an all around wonderful lady. Here are some of the things people usually say about how we are similar:

You all have the same eyes! Like sisters! (We all have bad eyesight, as well.)

You are stubborn just like your mother, and her mother. (possibly a good thing?)

These cookies are delicious; your mom taught you well! (Yes, she did! Thanks, Mom!)

Are you going to be a teacher like your mom? You would be just a great as her. (Mom is and has been a first grade teacher for almost thirty years. She teaches kids to read, and I am so proud.)

Same laugh, same jokes, same sense of humor. 

We have a love of crosswords, books, and magazine reading on the patio.

Toe nails painted. Always.

A love for learning, and a passion for helping people.

Night owls, but still early risers for Saturday brunch.