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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / for fun / Life around here…

Life around here…

May 8, 2015 · 10 Comments
Filed Under: for fun, hair + beauty, Maxwell, Natalie, running

hair maggie whitley

It’s time for a little “life around here” post, yeah? :)

So I’ve got a new beauty secret for my curly hair. Wanna know what it is? A shower cap. You can stop laughing, I’m for real. On days 2 (and 3) of no shampooing I use a shower cap to preserve my volume. To refresh my curl, I flip my head down and spray my hair with water from a spray bottle. Then I flip it back, tousle it a little, and sometimes finish with a light hairspray. That’s it! It’s the best thing ever :) Literally yesterday Zack looked at me in the morning as I was drinking my Chai tea, and before he could say anything I cut him off and said, “yes, I woke up like this.” Volume. It’s been crazy fun.

bauer maggie whitley

It’s Thursday night as I type this post, the rain has just begun to fall — it’s supposed to rain all night, which is the perfect ending for a cloudy week in Los Angeles. We’ve had a bit of a schedule change-a-roo. Zack’s been working crazy hours and I accidentally took a few days off from running. It’s been interesting to notice how strong I rely on my daily exercise. It’s been a really good thing ;) but I can always tell when it’s time for another run. Bauer has loved running, too. He’s like, FINALLY, LADY!

home maggie whitley

When we moved our apartment around in March we were able to create a little play nook for Maxwell. One of the chairs in our living room hides his toys well, and then this bookshelf stores his work bench, bin of building blocks, his tool box, and doctor kit. We also use a wicker basket for his stuffed animals and smaller toys. I give him a few play prompts (read a book to your stuffed monkey; can you fix Bambi with your doctor kit?; can you build me a tall tower?) and then watch his imagination take off.

I’ve also been making a lot of pizza dough. It’s been fun to bake bread this way, and I love how quick it is to make a pie. My favorite topping to add is sun dried tomatoes (marinated in an herb olive oil). #hearteyesforever

natalie maggie whitley

Now that Natalie is 6 months old she’s not only found her squeaky voice but she’s obsessed with moving her arms and legs! It’s hard to snap a photo without it being totally blurry. She’s also started laughing totally on her own from little things Maxwell does or says. It’s so cute and I melt inside every time I hear her raspy laugh. This is such a fun stage. They all are, actually…

maxwell natalie maggie whitley

Babies, babies, babies!

sewing machine cover maggie whitley

Earlier this week Max and I snuck over to my sewing machine to make a cover. He’s become very interested in trying to touch it, so this new cover is my secret trick to keeping him away from all the knobs and buttons ;) So far it’s working.

running los angeles maggie whitley

Wednesday and yesterday I got back into my running zone. AND IT’S BEEN SO GOOD! I’ve been focusing on 4 miles/day, gone for about 90 minutes total (including stops to talk to the kids, having Max walk alongside me, and a visit to the water fountains). And doing my run in the morning is essential, I’m learning. Once the afternoon hits, if I still haven’t logged a run I feel like suddenly it’s time to prep dinner and get the baths drawn. It’s gets to be cranky town over here. Running in the morning is definitely what we need to be doing, for this season of life. In my dreams I’m running a few times each week without the stroller or dog, if you were curious (ha!). Soon… Soon I hope to be doing that again.

Happy Friday, loves!

PS. double stroller c/o Britax and coral capri leggings c/o Albion Fit

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10 Comments
Filed Under: for fun, hair + beauty, Maxwell, Natalie, running

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Comments

  1. Lisa B. says

    May 8, 2015 at 7:29 am

    Even tho my girls are older I love reading your blog! I didn’t know you had a dog til today…he is adorable…we have have 3 beagles ( who are basically my children now that my daughters live on their own). Anyways enjoy your little ones, time flies!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 8, 2015 at 10:17 am

      Bauer is a staple to our home :) he is often hiding from the kids (and their noise) nowadays!

      Reply
  2. Kaylene Smith says

    May 8, 2015 at 12:28 pm

    Hi Maggie, Love your hair and thanks for sharing what you do on 2nd and 3rd day hair! Great tip! Could you please let us know what products you are using now to get great 1st day hair? I love trying new products so l’m curious about your new routine! Thanks in advance!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 9, 2015 at 4:58 pm

      Coming soon! :D

      Reply
  3. janine says

    May 9, 2015 at 10:44 am

    Running in the early morning is an essential as wel here.
    I literally get out of bed , into my running gear and am out the door.
    The longer I pospone it the more excuses I find not to go.

    No kids here to take into account,.
    And our dog Abby doen’t mind sleeping in.
    She is such a lazy little bully.
    And yes I have tried taking with me once.. it was a disaster.
    As I said; she is a lazy lttle thing
    hahaha

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 9, 2015 at 5:07 pm

      Girl, I hear you! About once a week I tell myself I’m done bringing our dog, but I know how much Bauer loves running with us. He’s crazy sometimes. Also: GOOD FOR YOU for getting up and running right away, that’s so awesome!

      Reply
  4. Daisy - émoi émoi says

    May 13, 2015 at 8:14 am

    Thanks for the hair tips and I agree, running first thing in the morning is the best way forward for me too :)

    http://en.emoi-emoi.com/

    Reply
  5. Sarah says

    May 13, 2015 at 11:16 am

    Ok your hair is AMAZING and you look great in red! Just sayin’.

    I so need to make a sewing machine cover. My 3yo is all about pushing all the buttons lately (mine and the sewing machine’s, ha!). I’ve had to hide my serger. I do love having them out around my family, not tucked away in a separate room, but sometimes it has its disadvantages! Did you use a pattern for your cover or wing it?

    And I hear you about the afternoon. Afternoons are not my best time and yes, seem focused on getting dinner fed to people and cleaning people. :)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 26, 2015 at 1:43 pm

      Ummm, THANK YOU for the hair and color compliment!

      I didn’t use a pattern, but I did take the measurements 3x ;) I hate finishing a project and having to rip out stitches because it’s not quite the right size/fit.

      Reply
  6. Maria Ensey says

    June 7, 2015 at 8:34 am

    I’m really enjoying following your journey along! I’m 6 mos post partum and have a 3 year old as well. You have inspired me to keep up running ! After all, I love in San Diego and only 5 miles from beach ;) I figured, if you can take your babies along then I can too! (My dog?… No way ! Lol!) l agree with all the benefits of running you mentioned! I was also encouraged to hear you break up your run to play with the kids!! That’s what I needed to hear…do you run 2 miles and then two after playing? Interested in deets I guess! Thanks again for Sharing! It’s just what this mama on same journey needed ☺️ And keep running!!

    Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

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“We are preparing to wind down for the school ye “We are preparing to wind down for the school year with just a few more weeks of intentional table lessons. We will then transition to a lighter learning schedule during the summer months. Today I am grateful for the books and resources I’ve read that have helped keep me in my own lane. (Visit my blog to see a personal favorite.)

Even now, three years in, I appreciate the reminder to stay on the path that was designed with intentional thought just for me.”

✨ see #maggiewhitleydotcom for the full post ✨
I took off my “comparison / contemplation” gla I took off my “comparison / contemplation” glasses last month and it’s been soooooo good. See also: sooooo hard (because life is never and/or). I’ve been writing more, reading more, spending more time outside. Talking to friends faces and smelling their detergent. My heart feels lighter. I’m sharing a few updates on my blog if you’d like to read? 🌾🤓blog reading & writing is a much better pace for me. You too? Link in profile.
Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect o Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect on the moments I’ve felt my mind spinning, my emotions swirly, it’s almost always when I’m not feasting on the word of God. Not that reading scripture is the cure for anxiety —no! Rather, it’s hard to worry when we’re worshipping.
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A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is hot, and the whisper of a page turning. ♨️☕️📖 // We are breaking from school this week, my plan is to read a lot, walk a lot, and rest a lot. How about you?

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I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

But my friend Jesus walks alongside me. He’s already done a mighty work in my heart, including helping me process my anger in healthier ways. I’ve also adopted a heart for sisterhood, mothering, and Titus 2 mentorship.

Sometimes our greatest losses are our greatest gains? That’s what I’m clinging to!

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