Monday, September 3, 2012

The Place I Call Home

I hope everyone had a nice and relaxing Labor Day weekend. I unplugged from the blogging/social media world for three days, well, except for a Instagram. It was nice. I was REALLY nice.

We headed "home" to Alvin to spend time with family and friends. Small town Alvin is my "home". It is where all the molding took place. The molding of the person I am today. I grew up there and lived in the same house (my parents are still there) until I went off to college. Loving this place is an understatement, even though it hasn't "moved" forward. Actually, it has taken several steps in the opposite direction. That's okay with me because no matter what it will always will be the place I call "home". There are reminders on every corner, memories down a handful of dirt roads, stories held in so many houses that line the streets, especially in the house on Grace Street. We made the most out of small town living. And every time I go back, I smile and another moment from my childhood sweeps across my mind. It feels good. This is where I came from. Cliche' I know, but home is where the heart is.

Even though this is just the tip of the iceberg, I was able to capture a few snapshots of what going "home" means to me.


Going shopping at Baybrook Mall with my mom. She is, hands down, the ONLY person that I can shop with. She doesn't rush me and I don't rush her. Even though our tastes in clothes are on opposite ends of the planet, we always pull our hauls out of the bag and oooh and ahhh about each others purchases. And, I finally got to visit H&M this weekend. It was just as amazing as I hoped it would be, although, my heart still belongs to Forever 21.


Meeting up my my oldest and dearest friend, Erin, and hanging with our boys. This gorgeous girl and I met in the 3rd grade. We have seen each other through thick and thin. We have been called Double Trouble a time or two. Oh, the stories I could tell you about us.


Celebrating birthdays with Mexican food. I think my family has hit up every Mexican food restaurant in a 20 mile radius. It just isn't a birthday without margaritas, chips, salsa, queso and fajitas! Happy birthday, Mom! I love you!


Swimming at my sister's house. It was bittersweet this weekend because they are moving to a new house and it was our last time to swim there. You see that big blue float? Well, my girls called that their "Pontoon" and sang the song over and over again. Just more memories made.


Pulling out old family photos.  These came from a scrapbook I made my mom and dad for their 35th wedding anniversary. Dear Lord, check out my bangs and my dad's hair...heck, all of our hair. Looking at them never gets old, only better as each year passes us by. We really were and still are a very happy and close family.


Last but not least, spending quality time with my foundation, Mom and Dad. They not only gave us a house, they gave us a home. A home that overflowed with sacrifice, lessons, laughter, tears, hugs, kisses, family dinners at the table, prayer and most of all unconditional love.

What does home mean to you? Whatever it's connotation, I hope you take time and visit your "home" roots and remind yourself that that place, wherever it may be, helped shape you into the person you are today.

P.S. I am over at The Other Side of Gray today. Annie is one of my all-time favorite fashion bloggers. Hop on over and check out three basic wardrobe essentials every girl should have hanging her closet.

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I am linking up with Leeann, Dana and Sami for the Weekend Update. Go visit them!
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58 comments:

Danavee said...

Awwww! I love this post. Precious.

Katie said...

so glad you got to have a great weekend home! it sounds wonderful! and awesome that you and your friend still get to see each other!

Sheena Rae said...

Looks like fun! I wish there was an H&M close to me! Not even in the state!

meghan said...

Looks like a great weekend visit! I need to stop by the H&M and see what they've got for fall. Was there a lot of good stuff? That's fun that you and your mom are such good shopping partners. My mom is one of the only people I can shop with too. I always feel pressure with others to go to stores they want and hurry, etc.

Katie @ My Darling Days said...

What a lovely holiday weekend you had! There is just something about being "home" that feels so good, right?

DSR said...

You finally got your H&M! You won't need your personal shopper Chris anymore. Have you told her she's fired yet?!

Looks like such a fun family weekend. I feel so lucky that all of my family and my husband's family is here in Chicago...although I wouldn't mind somewhere to go visit every now and again!

Thanks for linking up, pretty lady.

Jessica @ Here(and)Now said...

It warms my heart to hear you talking about your home in a small town - I am a small town girl too, growing up in a teeny town in Arkansas. No H&M for us - just Sears, and if you want to get real fancy J.C Penney's! Looks like a fabulous weekend of getting back to your roots!
xx
Here&Now

Andrea said...

What a great weekend and a wonderful post Shanna! Family is such an amazing thing and you are so blessed!

Carly said...

What a perfect weekend! Love it!

Carly
www.lipglossandcrayons.com

Head to Toe Chic said...

Sounds like the perfect weekend! Spending time with the fam is seriously the best. I spent time with the fam yesterday too. Love the old pictures of you guys!

Xo,
Angela

jeands said...

What a beautiful post. Indeed a happy, beautiful weekend spent with the family. I'm lucky like you too to have a belong a close and happy family.

I love the old photographs!

Kait said...

Looks like you had a fab weekend, girl, and your daughters are beautiful :) I especially liked the marg photos...a girl after my own heart!

The Pink Growl said...

Looks like you had a great time! I'm so jealous of your H&M shopping spree - I want one of those close to me NOW! PS - I put your Color Me Rad cards in the mail today! :)

Shannon @ Bungalow960 said...

I'm so jealous of people that can shop at H&M. Being 5'11 1/2", H&M is not made for people like me.

Bunnie said...

It's always nice to have a break from the crazy social media world!

Looks like you had an amazing time, what cute pictures :)

xo

Haylee

http://www.dolledupdaily.com

Anonymous said...

So glad you enjoyed your weekend with family!! Looks like it was once last HOORAY for "summer time" activities... hope you have a fabulous SHORT week! xoxo

still being [molly] said...

love this. i am no where near my hometown but i know the feeling of going back to where you came from. nostalgic. <3

Lindsay said...

Love this post! I feel the same exact way about the little town I grew up in. Every time I go home a million memories come flooding back. Making the drive into my little town with one flashing red light makes me feel right at home. It's funny, I was so excited to get out of that town and now I can't wait to go back.

Sandra said...

Looks like you had a great weekend! There's something about growing up in a small town isn't there. There's times when I hated it, but looking back I couldn't imagine growing up any other way.

TheTinyHeart said...

What a sweet post, Shanna! My parents still live in the house I grew up in and they're just 45 minutes away. :)

-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
Win a Mint Green statement necklace!

Sandy a la Mode said...

agree with u! i LOVE h&m shopping but my heart belongs to F21 too!! hha

xo,
Sandy
Sandy a la Mode

Sami said...

So sweet! I love going home to where my parents live too! Glad you had a great time! Thanks for linking up :)

Always Maylee said...

Aw, there's nothing like going home...it just always feels amazing. I'm so glad you finally got to make an H&M trip, looks like you got some amazing things, can't wait to see you rock them on the blog! :)

xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee

Ashley K said...

Glad you had a lovely long weekend. Your making me miss my hometown with this post! I'm going back in November though so I wont have to wait too much longer. It's good to go back and see everyone. Awesome you finally go to go to an H&M, it's awesome isn't it :)

Tiffany said...

Nothing beats family time, ever. Looks like you all enjoyed it so much! And the H&M. Oh goodness. I walked in and right back out of there yesterday. Way too busy!

Emily said...

I loved reading this about your hometown. It was really touching. I love all of the pictures, it seems like it was a wonderful weekend!

creamyclothes.blogspot.com

Lauran {The Real Young Housewife of Southern VA} said...

What an awesome weekend!!! And you're right.... don't ever forget where you came from... it's who you are!!!!

Scribble-N-Dash said...

Looks like such a fun weekend!!! :)

<3 Melissa

Alexa said...

Always good to unplug...and love that photo of your mom and dad!

Wine and Summer said...

Love this! What an amazing weekend!

Amy Shaughnessy said...

Baybrook mall is ten minutes from my aunt's house. Last time I was there I was going to hit up the H&M (after F21, of course) but was so hot that I couldn't bring myself to go. You know it has to be HOT if I am too lazy to shop!

Amy



Fashion and Beauty Finds

Kelly { MessyDirtyHair } said...

awww what a sweet post! thats so great you have such good feelings when you go to your hometown...i do not haha. shopping w my mom is my favorite too! shes the only one i love shopping with..however sometimes she does rush me haha! looks like it was perfet weekend home! XO

Ashley said...

Shopping with mom is the best! You got some great stuff!

My best friend's name is Erin too. Love that you got to see her.

Everytime I go home, I ALWAYS break out the old photos.

Ashley said...

Pretty sure I could live off of Mexican food- YUM! Looks like yall had a wonderful weekend!

Ramona said...

It looks like you had such a bless wisiting home. You look so pretty in all those photos with friends and family.Scrapbook is so sweet and lovely gift.

xoxo Ra

Miss Angie said...

Oh that looks like so much fun. I'm super jealous of the pool!

Stopping in from the weekend update!

EverythingPrettyGirls said...

I agree, Shanna! It's soo nice to just unplug. We did the same thing. But it's also nice to get back into the swing of things. Looks like you picked up some awesome H&M items and had a wonderful weekend! Thanks for sharing!

xo
Venessa
http://www.everything-pretty.com/

Caroline said...

What a fun weekend! :)

susan jakovina said...

This looks like so much Shanna! I could eat mexican every.single.day

Delusions of Grandeur said...

What great photos Shanna! It sounds like you have an amazing family and friends. :)

Jeans and a Teacup said...

Looks like you had a great weekend! Love H&M! And it looks like you got some really cute stuff!
~Jessica
http://jeansandateacup.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Looks like great times...can't beat family, shopping, relaxing, and all that jazz :) I'm new to your blog and really enjoying your posts! You have fun style and really share from your heart. And based on your little bio, I think we have a lot in common! Definitely following and looking forward to more :)

<3 Cambria
jupefashion.blogspot.com

Check out my GIVEAWAY!!!!!!

Niki {Glossy Blonde} said...

It sounds like you had such an amazing weekend! I love going home, even though I grew up in DC until I was 10, North Andover (just outside of Boston) is "home" to me and my parents still live in our house too. It's always fun to go back and see everyone! Your parents look so happy and happy birthday to your mom!

jes @ twosmuppies said...

looks like it was such a great weekend!
and h&m is a scary scary scary place. scary.

Stesha said...

great weekend my love!

xx
Classic & Bubbly

EverythingPrettyGirls said...

Your weekend looks so lovely!! Sounds like a perfect labor day weekend - mexican, swimming, H&M, and old photographs?! Yes, please!! :)

xo everything-pretty.com

Ashlyn | Let It Be Beautiful said...

i wish i could unplug from everything. i really need to with the amount of work i have going on with school. but looks like you had an awesome weekend! mine was relaxing as well, went by way too fast!

happy tuesday!
xxA

tara said...

you are so right about alvin! it has definitely stayed the same through the years! glad you finally got to hit up h&m!

Girls Love Fried Pickles said...

Too bad we don't live closer! Oh the fun we would have.

Caitlin C. said...

Mmmm the margaritas look great!! I love your photos... and sometimes it is so NEEDED and nice to just turn of the computer for a few days :)

Sugarr2518 said...

It looks like you had an amazing weekend! I mean how could you not if margaritas are involved?

Jenn @ Party of One said...

What a great weekend! Looks like such a great time going 'home' and enjoying your family- so happy that you got to have that time with your family!!

Unknown said...

Your weekend was much more fun than mine!! Shopping, margaritas, pool day..yes please! Glad u had a good weekend and got to visit with your family :) Hope you have a great week lady! xoxoxo

Chris said...

I'm so glad you finally went to H&M and I have that floral top too. Twinkies yet again! Looking at those margaritas is making me thirsty!

Chris said...

I'm so glad you finally went to H&M and I have that floral top too. Twinkies yet again! Looking at those margaritas is making me thirsty!

Anonymous said...

Just found your blog through Annies. I love your style!! I'm now following you on fb & bloglovin & twitter!:) Can't wait!!
-amy
www.dreamingincashmere.com

Rach said...

Looks like such a great weekend! I still haven't been to an H&M, but I hear such great things about that place. Really want to check it out!

Leeann @ Join the Gossip said...

Aw what an attractive family! Your parents are too cute! At first I thought you looked like your mom, now I see your dad! I think you look like your mom with your dad's nose. Wow I sound like a creeper lol!

And I love me some H&M!

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