life and lemons

Stella & Dot Stylist, mama, wife & shameless truth teller. Loving on my three sidekicks. Blogging #reallifewithkids.

[kelleycodispoti]

Monday vibes. // Can we talk about the amazing Midwest weather today? Or how Nina asked if my new @homage shirt was for her? 🙃🙄 I'm thinking it was the gold/glitter. Also, feeling grateful for therapists and my @stelladot tribe and wing women who hang with your crazy kids so you can feel human/get some work done/finish a phone call/go to Target sans crazy kids. {Not necessarily in that order}. Thanks as always @manduzza for being such a rock star friend who I'm lucky enough to call family. ❤️ #sdjoy #workfromhomemom #reallifewithkids #workuniform #stelladotstyle #dowhatyoulove #lovewhatyoudo #thankfulnovember

[kelleycodispoti]

#lifewithnina summed up: This is what she chooses to wear when I tell her to "go get dressed" and she doesn't have school and doesn't have to wear her uniform. Always be you, Nina Bean. Always be you. ❤️😜🤗😍 #thisgirl #reallifewithkids #happyfriday {this getup is still going strong @graneybeer22 😂}

[kelleycodispoti]

It's Trunk Show Thursday and after the crazy day I've had with the kids, I'm so grateful for this super fun gig where I get to style women and have adult conversation and connect with new friends and spread some #sdjoy, AND that I get to call this my "job." And of course I get to wear these fab accessories {with my fave camo tee. #onrepeat}. TGIT! See you soon @alli_grant_! #stelladotstyle #styleyourlife #dowhatyoulove #lovewhatyoudo #dreamjob #wineplease

[kelleycodispoti]

Life with a strong-willed child: No school for this girl today, so of course she was up and fully dressed before I even had a sip of coffee and three hours before we had to leave for her doctor appointment. As opposed to every school day when I sprout 25 new grey hairs just trying to get her to put her uniform on. Over the course of an hour. While she sits in her bed and reads 25 different books. 🙄🙃 // Small victories this morning, though, as we just found out she has most likely outgrown her sesame allergy. We had a terrifying moment as parents when she was almost one {so little!} and went into anaphylactic shock after eating at a Mediterranean restaurant. So we have basically been those nervous parents for the past 5 years who are afraid it might happen again, because sesame is surprisingly in a lot more foods than you'd think. But thanks to her strong-willed nature, she's very aware of it. This morning, the allergy doctor said it would be perfectly safe to feed her a small amount and see how she reacts. Nina, of course, declared that she is never eating sesame EVER AGAIN. So we are celebrating with a cake pop instead, and having a dance party in the car, and trying on lipstick, since Andrew decided to nap 3 hours before nap time. Andrew, my other strong-willed child. Ah, #reallifewithkids. // The end. #lifewithnina #adventuresinparenting #happythursday #instablog

[kelleycodispoti]

Missing this veteran today and every day. I showed Nina this pic of my Dad earlier and we had a typical Nina chat before bedtime. {Tears and hugs and conversations that remind me she's way smarter than her 6 years}. She's such an old soul, and even though she was only 3 when he died, he left such an imprint on her spirit. Thanks for teaching me to be a fighter, Dad. Love you always. ❤️ #conversationswithmydad #reallifewithkids #myheart

[kelleycodispoti]

Sometimes I feel like @daniellelaporte is reading my mind with her #truthbombs. // Also, I'm feeling an incredible urge to go sit in a cabin in the woods and write. I'm sure my kids would never notice. 😜 #TGIF #introvertsunite #creativeminds #thankfulfortherapists

[kelleycodispoti]

Current mood. #TGIF ・・・ Happy Friday girls ✌🏻️

[kelleycodispoti]

This just in: @stelladot is donating $132,880 to the Noreen Fraser Foundation, dedicated to funding breakthrough women's cancer research. Since partnering with the NFF in 2012, we have raised $570,592 towards this amazing cause. I'm so proud to be part of this amazing company! // Next up, we are about to honor and spoil military wives! Grab a scarf for yourself or as a gift and treat someone else! Look stylish, grab a few gifts, and give thanks to those who serve. Look good, do good. So much yes. #MOAA #NFF #thankyou #sdjoy #ourcustomersrock #dreamjob

[kelleycodispoti]

We've had some pretty rough patches lately, me and this kid. It's definitely true what people say about the days being long, but the years are oh so short. I can't believe what a little person he is becoming. And despite some REALLY LONG DAYS lately, this morning I was reminded why I took the leap 2 years ago and decided to be a work from home mom. Thanks, buddy, for the reminder. That feeling when Andrew reaches for my hand and says "wuv you, Mommy" out of the blue is everything. ❤️ #lifewithandrew #lifeinpics #reallifewithkids #mywhy

[kelleycodispoti]

Your WEEKLY WANT is here! You asked and @stelladot listened! Our best-selling engravables have flown off the shelves since launching last year, but you wanted more! So, meet our NEW double-sided engravables - coming your way TOMORROW! 🙌🏻😍🙌🏻 You'll be able to choose from 6 pre-engraved words {believe, MOM, love, FEARLESS, blessed, & DREAM} AND you can personalize the back with a special name or date {for FREE}! Who else is excited for these?! Just in time for all your gift-giving needs. Love! #sdjoy #happinessisourbusiness #tellyourstory #bestgiftever

[kelleycodispoti]

Monday mantras. #girlboss

[kelleycodispoti]

Halloween part 2. Had to snap a quick pic in the bathroom at Whole Foods yesterday after we grabbed lunch, had a costume change, then ran back to school for her Halloween parade and festivities. Then I had to coax get out of the bathroom because she didn't want anyone to see her costume. This, from the girl that wears the craziest getups ever. 😜 #lifewithnina #happyhalloween #mysuper

[kelleycodispoti]

Pretty much. 🙈🙆🏼😐😴

[kelleycodispoti]

Word. #dowhatyoulove #lovewhatyoudo #sdjoy #girlboss #happinessisourbusiness ❤️

[kelleycodispoti]

Come on, Google. (Repost @girlswhowine) #cheers #manicmonday

[kelleycodispoti]

Picking zinnias at Nana's. 💗 #lifewithnina #loveher #girlsweekend #happyfall #lifeinohio #mywhy

[kelleycodispoti]

I've been promising Nina a girls road trip to the lake ever since school started, and we finally made it back up there yesterday. It definitely wasn't one of those picture-perfect blue skies and sunshine and glorious color-filled Fall days like we had hoped, but there is just something about this place. I stopped for a while while Nina Bean car napped, listened to the rain, and felt my Dad's presence everywhere. He loved fishing by the Lighthouse, and I feel so connected to him there. We also had one last beach stroll with my mom, even though it was dark, and it was just enough to hold us over until next year. Thanks, Mom, for the lifetime of memories at a place that still feels like a second home. Miss you like crazy, Dad, but I know your view is even better than mine. ❤️ #conversationswithmydad #lovethisplace #lifewithnina #ohio #lifeinohio #happyfall #lakelife #thingsiwanttoremember #myheart (at Marblehead Lighthouse)