Life & Leopard : About

My name is Sara and I am super excited that you have come to my little corner of the blogging world!

I started blogging back in 2012 as a way to expand my writing skills and to give me something to do besides be a SAHM to our daughter, L. What started out as something completely different has now evolved into my fun and quirky version of a life and style blog. Life & Leopard encompasses all aspects of my life as a woman, wife, and mother. Here at L&L you will find posts on parenting, my journey out of yoga pants, and how I use humor to keep me from losing my mind.
By the way, would you like some insight into the master-mind behind the blog?

-I’m a 30 something SAHM who lives in the Midwest with her husband, daughter, and four cats. (Yes, 4.)
-We bought our first home in June of 2013 so expect to see lots of DIY posts as I love to pretend I am crafty. Sometimes I am...other times...not so much.
-I have a dry sense of humor and am the Queen of One Liners. My husband taught me well. :) Please keep that in mind when reading. Life is too short to be serious. You don't get out alive anyway.
-I'm addicted to Diet Pepsi. I know, I know....but I can't stop. I just can't.
-I'm also addicted to quotes. You should see my Pinterest board.
-I believe in Karma.
-I've been a blonde.
-I have four tattoos and want more. (Sorry, Mom.)
-I love the smell of books.
-And fresh cut grass.
-And the way it smells just before it rains.
-I never got my wedding dress cleaned after my wedding. It is still hanging in the bag the way I took it off. At first, I wanted to get it cleaned. Then I decided that I wanted it to remain in the very state it was in on one of the happiest days of my life. I'm a woman-I can change my mind if I want. :)

Speaking of the wedding, how would you all like to meet my little family?

The Hubbs and I met in 2005 at a gas station. He successfully reeled me in by turning my gas pump off on me every time I would go to that particular station to get gas. Nine years later, we are married and have a daughter. He is my best friend and a great father and husband. He makes me laugh and knows when I need a hug. He hogs the bed, steals the covers, and has to be reminded to do everything, but I love him anyway.

Miss L made her big debut in July of 2011 and has been flaunting her sassiness ever since. Her favorite things to do are run through the house, eat Hello Kitty fruit snacks, watch hockey (GO BLUES!) with Daddy, and say, “No, I do it, Mommy!” on the daily. She has Daddy completely wrapped around her finger and Mommy will be bald by the time she is a teenager, but we love her and we aren’t quite sure what we ever did without her…Oh wait, yes we do….Slept. We slept.

I was born and raised in the middle of nowhere in Southeastern MO. I fell asleep to the sound of crickets and the midnight train to God knows where. My little brother and I ran every inch of my parents property in the summer until the lighting bugs came out. To this day, I can stand in a patch of grass anywhere in barefeet, close my eyes, and I’m home.
There were 65 seniors in my graduating class. I have had the same best friend for 18 years. I wrecked my car the first day I got my drivers license going to see a boy. I have hung out of a sunroof, danced around bonfires, sat on tailgates, swam in lakes, taken aimless drives to nowhere with the radio so loud you could hear me coming for miles, have every Backstreet Boys and NSYNC song memorized, and was always home by curfew.
It took me ten years to finish college, but I did, and I have a degree to teach high school English. One of my proudest moment was hearing my name called to walk across the stage to receive my degree with my nine month old daughter in the audience. Reading and writing are my passions. As long as I am able to take in written word and express myself, all is well with my soul.

The absolute best way to get in touch with me is through comments. Those go straight to my inbox and I always try to answer in a timely fashion. You can also email me directly at slhallstead@gmail.com or come hang out with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram! (On Instagram you get to see tons of pics of the kiddo!)