AUBREY KINCH

I've written about this before and I'm still getting questions all the time so here's a slightly updated edition with some other apps and a little more in detail of what each one does. Every photo of mine goes through at least 3 of these before hitting my feed and it really only takes 2-3 minutes to get them looking fab so trust me, it's worth it! Not much detail to go into and you can read the first edition here, but I feel when your images are a better reflection of you, you're welcoming people more into who you are by being transparent. All I want with my insta feed is to leave someone feeling inspired or happy after viewing something light and bright and I'm sure that's what some of you are wanting too, right?

Happy editing!

Andrew, where do I even begin? From someone I saw often when growing up, to the guy who I lusted over at sleep overs with your sister, to now the man I call my husband and lover. I never thought I'd be spending your birthday with you every year for all eternity but isn't God funny that way? I can't thank Him enough for bringing us together in the lowest of times only to have us grow close and build a foundation for a life long marriage. I also can't thank Him enough for providing me with a husband who's loyal, caring, charming, sarcastic, endearing, witty, passionate, funny.... with a touch of stubborn, too. :)

Boo, you've blessed my life in ways you don't see. You've healed my heart in times I feel like it's shattered, you've held my hand in support and encouragement while I've chased my dreams. You've listened to my rants about things you couldn't care less about but you make me feel like I have every right to feel as I do. You've molded me into a woman of God and a mother and you've been there to uplift me as your wife and best friend.

It occurred to me late last night this could be the year we start a family. It could be the year that changes our whole world and it could be a year we celebrate becoming parents, together. It scares me in all the right ways and it makes my heart so warm getting to spend those moment with you.

You are something special.

Happy 26th, love. 

Let's make it a crazy one, no?

desktop, here.

iPad, here.

phone, here.

Last week I vented a bit and gave some updates on how my implant has been doing. Well, after taking Estrogen for 2 days, it occurred to me over a down pour of sobs and tears, it's not worth it. We have made the decision to start trying in the next year for Littles (which still scares me!) and after being so easily manipulated by the Estrogen, I knew my answer wasn't to terminate one long term BC method to start another one with an IUD but it was to take some time for my body to heal, learn who it is again and start preparing for carrying a child. If it were completely up to me, I'd be prescription free altogether but that's wishful thinking from a girl who suffers from migraines too frequently. I will still be on a daily preventative for those and I'm sure the occasional hospital visit will happen but as far as anything else, it's time to stop. I've prayed and prayed about this decision because what if that times comes when we plan to start trying and we feel it really isn't the right time? What if I have even worse side effects coming off of the BC than I did while on it? What's the removal going to entail? There are so many questions up in the air but I've always known from a little girl I wanted to be a mom and if God let's me when the time comes, what a blessing. I feel now, it's time to take a breather and let my body do it's own thing.

Why "Elegance"? I guess I feel like I've put up with my fair share of trying to do things people were telling me with contraceptive and what would work. I feel I've gracefully accepted opinions and suggestions only to find it's something that doesn't quite click with me. Hence, elegance. I plan to elegantly take a step back, remove myself from what's clouding my natural instinct and embrace what God places before me. 

T H I S   W E E K :

monday | How To: Top Knot

tuesday | Casa Kinch: Home Tour

wednesday | Leopard + Lace

thursday | Back in Black

What's so ironic to me is I used to hate black. I thought it looked terrible on me and it just wasn't something I could get into. It's exactly like my love for gold now. Never did I own or ever want to own anything in gold. I was a girl after white gold, silver or platinum. But never will I wear either of those over yellow gold these days. 

I have so many variations of black tanks and cute tops and I always find myself going back to this number and always popping with a great heel. You can't see them here but I'm rockin' some great cobalt pumps which are also a new favorite of mine to keep in rotation.

Is black over rated or am I completely just loving it?

Hello friends! I've had quite the questions about my volumptuous top knots lately and all I can say is I'm happy I'm not faking it like this anymore. In all honesty, I've just resorted to keeping my hair up constantly lately because 1) I'm lazy and don't feel like washing it and 2) it's freaking hot in Phoenix so I sweat balls. But really, I've been pleasantly surprised each morning I throw it up and how easily it's accomplished without much hassle and it's right on trend with all your fashion-y people and looking chic. Hellllllo favorite hair style! Let's get this happening for you too, yes?

You can see other beauty tutorials, here. Happy top knotting!

Okay, I just need to clarify, this isn't actually a freebie this week. Something happened last week, I finally got my step-mommy butt in gear and made Drake a custom chore chart. I decided to tweet it and it seems many of you would like a custom little chore printable also! Who knew? So today, I've decided I'll be offering a custom printable including 10 items to bullet, a custom title and custom colors all for the low price of $10. Ya'll get the design file and print it weekly to keep it on the fridge or counter....whatever works for you. The best part? This doesn't have to only be for kiddos, you can create a house duty list if that suits the phase of life you're in. Oh, and there's an optional tag line at the bottom to either motivate or give thanks!

So what's next? I need you to look here for 4 colors you'd like your print to be. Don't come to me saying, I think this will work...or you can adjust..blah blah blah. Sorry friends, please pick your 4 colors and send me the color codes. In the same email, include the 10 duties you'd like listed and the title you'd like it to read. The fonts will be as shown here simply customized to your personal needs with a list and colors. Make sure to include the PayPal email you'd like the invoice sent to and once it's paid, you'll get your design file a couple days later to print at your leisure!

R E C A P :

+ pick your colors

+ pick your title

+ pick your 10 duties

+ email me with the deets and your PayPal email

Simple as that friends! Sorry for those of you who swung by today hoping for a freebie. I was just too excited people actually wanted this print so I had to make a whole post dedicated to it. You can snag other freebies, here.

T H I S   W E E K :

monday | July Beauty Faves

tuesday | Playlist: Inner Diva

thursday | Finding My Voice

I knew coming into my marriage and accepting a son, I'd have to take on the "stepmom" role and we've had a pretty seamless bond growing. He's trusted and respected me and shown me love beyond words. My heart has grown 100 times learning to love this child. It's been a learning process having Drake for 7 days at a time now every other week. It's been such a blessing to Andrew and myself and for our little family unit and it's something we've been dying for. It's also something that brings trials and bad days because guess what.... he's 7 and testing boundaries at our home and trying to get away with things we know aren't acceptable with his mama.

My first moment of truly punishing him set in this past week. I was in tears after giving him his consequence and it hurt my heart so.freaking.much watching him bawl begging for forgiveness. He looked me in the face, lied and thought I wouldn't catch it and when I did, my heart dropped knowing I'd have to punish him. 

In theory, it's easy to tell yourself you'll be strong and stand your grand when discipling. In my mind I thought it would just be as simple as saying no to TV or denying some time on the iPad but lawwwwd, it was brutal. Never did I think I'd be so emotional and feel so bad for having to give a severe consequence so he could learn his lesson. I've prayed and prayed for wisdom and comfort for finding my voice with him. How I can be a great stepmom and role model while also connecting and becoming close to him. Along with all those duties I realize I have to put on the ugly hat sometimes to show some tough love but I wasn't prepared for how trying it would be on my heart.

jeans | Old Navy
top (option) | Forever 21
sandals (option) | Target
purse (option) | TJ Maxx // Steve Madden
watch | Fossil
sunnies (option) | Old Navy
necklace (option) | Forever 21

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This playlist is loooong overdue and I send my apologies for keeping it away for this long. Truthfully, I haven't made it to the gym too often lately and it's a little embarrassing how quickly I've gained weight again so I was at the gym last night scrolling through my playlists thinking it's about time I shared some of my favorites with you for getting me motivated or in this case.... feeling diva-esque! These are all songs that scream girl power and I just can't seem to smile....and run when I hear them. So enjoy!

you can view other playlists, here.

click here to download.