beautiful braids

i know i know, two posts in one night? ridiculous. but i just had to share these beautiful braids with you. for the past week i've been looking over blogs and keep finding amazing braided hairstyles i want to try! it makes me almost want to grow my hair out, or at least practice on someone with long hair. 

braided poof 

modern milkmaid

waterfall braid

braided updo

this blog is FILLED with amazing hairstyles. if you are about to be a bride, bridesmaid, or just look fancy, go here. i especially enjoy the "twist and pin" section.

xoxo,

alyssa renee 

blog backup: mod thursday

hello lovely,
today was mod thursday! the best day of the week. i don't have pictures of my outfit i wore today, but here are a few shots from my first mod thursday outfit! i'm really enjoying this theme. it gives me something to look forward to during that mid week slump before the weekend. have you participated in mod thursday yet? if not, you should! if so, share your photos with me. i'd love to see your fabulous looks.
xoxo,
alyssa renee

dress: belk

shoes: target

purse: vintage

earrings: claire's 

blog backup: july 4th!

hello lovely,
we have internet! so, you will begin to see a series of "blog backup" posts from all the adventures i've been on without internet. here are the pictures i took from july 4th. it is my favorite holiday and this year was a pretty good one. a good friend from out of town came by, we dressed up super festive, played with sparklers, and saw fireworks over the water. a very nice holiday indeed.
xoxo,
alyssa renee

take me out to the ball game!

hello lovely,

this post is old, but i had to share these photos! my family took a trip up to Cincinnati for July 4th weekend to see the indians play and visit kings island. it was so fun! and, for the first time ever, we were at a game where the tribe actually won! awesome! usually we bring bad luck. after the game there was an impressive fireworks show. probably the best i've ever seen. it was also the first vacation niles went on with just my family. the first of many :)

xoxo,

alyssa renee

our home: a blank slate

hello lovely!
here are some pictures of our new house before we had anything moved in.  what do you think? we love it! the house was built in 1955 and was completely remodeled this year. new appliances, crown molding, the works. niles and i couldn't be happier, and captain is loving all of the space to run and play. we actually took these pictures on the night we closed on the house. that night we blew up an air mattress in our bedroom and watched pee wee's big adventure. a great start to life in our new home. hopefully i will have some "after" photos for you soon.
xoxo,
alyssa renee

front door

living room

guest bathroom

Niles' office

my craft room :)

hallway looking at the laundry room and master bath from the master bedroom

back porch

backyard

first guest

another view of the porch

mod thursdays (yes I know today is friday)

hello lovely,
it is official. we will get internet the week of august 8th. thank goodness! then i will be able to blog regularly again! i can't wait. i have so many things to share with you. i've been taking photos for several blog segments while i've been away: our house before shots, 2 style blog sessions, maternity pics for my coworker katie, and a LOT of wedding crafts. so get excited, i know i am. yesterday i decided to start something interactive on the blog. i like to think of it as a movement. i challenge each of you to participate in "mod thursday." every thursday wear your best mod attire. it can be as simple as wings in your eyeliner, or as bold as a full ensemble. i did it yesterday and it was awesome. i already have my friend jessica on board for next week. i think it will be even more fun if you post your mod thursday photos on the mice and birds facebook page. that way everyone can see them. i've already posted mine from yesterday. (style blog featuring this look coming soon...) so, will you participate? think it is a fun challenge? let me know!
xoxo,
alyssa renee

long time no see!

hello lovely,
sorry it has taken me so long to blog. it will be even longer before i can do a post with any substance to it. we are moving! yay! i took before pictures so the afters will be even more impressive. i promise to get those up as soon as we have internet. right now we are living out of boxes. niles moves his stuff in this weekend so we should be living semi-normally next week. his parents are giving us their fridge and couch too! i can't wait to have every thing in order and begin our lives together. i'll be going home for the last month before the wedding. that way mom and i can get last minute things in order. whenever possible i will try to update. just be patient with me for the next few weeks. promise it will be worth it!
xoxo,
alyssa renee