Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Links on Tuesday


I bet you've seen this blog post circling the web, but if not, Mommas must read.
This is so true, I swear! Birth order has always been fascinating to me.
The best dose of radiant orchid I've seen yet.
Made this for dinner last night. Forgot how yummy/easy/healthy it was!
Love the little collection for Valentine's Day. You know we gotta get the little man some V-day jams!

Have a great Tuesday :)

Monday, January 13, 2014

Giveaway Winner + Travel with Baby

Happy Monday Y'all! 
First things first, congrats to Stephanie Grant for winning the Rodan + Fields giveaway. I loved hosting this and I know you will love this package Stephanie! Please contact me so I can put you in touch with Laura for your goodies!

I've been out of town almost an entire week and the house is a complete disaster and I have little to no energy. I had big plans to knock out all the laundry last night but laid down in bed instead for a few minutes of rest. Traveling/working and traveling with a baby is no joke! Weeks continues to spoil us with his sweet and easy going personality though. Easiest baby ever on an airplane. His first flight was with Stephen to come meet me and he said he just talked and laughed the entire time. Everyone loved him. Yesterday on our way home he slept through take off and about halfway into the flight. After that it was time to eat so he was occupied and happy. 


There was tiny episode that made our travel less than perfect. Airline personnel! When it was time to board our flight, they asked for anyone needing special assistance or car seats to board first. We just happened to be standing at the front and assumed we would be able to board with our stroller, even though we didn't have a carseat. The gate agent looked at us and told us we couldn't board until Zone 1 and quickly roped us off so we were now on the outside of the line that formed, sending us to the very back of the line. I was stunned. Everyone in line was too. I was so tired at that point it literally almost made me cry! The man at the beginning of the line told us to please go ahead of him and everyone else agreed. Little did the gate agent know we were actually in first class as well so we should've been at the front of the line anyway. That nice man was so kind and didn't have to do that, but he did. We thanked him so many times. And when I got my ticket scanned I should have just given that agent a smile instead of snatching my ticket back from him. Oh well, next time :)


Give someone a smile today y'all! xo.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

First Look at Spring

Every year right after the holidays, I am always so excited to see transitional wear out in stores for Spring. It might just be one of my favorite seasons of clothes. After bundling up and wearing plaids and sequins and layers...it's nice to imagine a fresher, lighter look. Although this is just the beginning of Spring, here are a few current favorites! 














Printed Chino Short (on sale!)

Have you found anything to add to your Spring wardrobe already?

PS....Don't forget to enter my Rodan + Fields giveaway, ending Friday!


Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Christmas and New Years Recap

In fear of being too late for the holiday recap to really mean much, I'm just going to let the pictures do the talking instead of giving details. We had the best Christmas with Weeks...it's so special to see it through a little one's eyes and remember what's really important.






















....and a Happy New Year! 




Don't forget to check yesterday's post for a fun giveaway! 

Monday, January 6, 2014

New Year New Skin + GIVEAWAY!

One thing I am serious about for the new year? My skin. I feel like I gave it a breather from the sun this past year in a lot of respects since I was at home with a newborn and didn't want him exposed to the sun. We did spend time on the beach but it was under an umbrella. I feel like my skin has said "thank you" after an easy summer. I have always tried to take care of my skin but I know I can do better and thats only more important as I get older. I use a CC cream with built in SPF which makes me feel good. I also have really dry skin especially in the winter, so it needs lots of care.

Just in the nick of time, one of my sweet readers, Laura, contacted me about a line she represents, Rodan + Fields, to try a mini facial. It couldn't have come at a better time...right after Christmas, needing a fresh start for the year and I had two dry patches on my face. I loved. loved. the microdermabrasion paste. It helped to get rid of my dry patches so much! I'm hoping to make it mine soon. And the night serum just feels wonderful, like silk on your skin! Laura has graciously offered one of my readers a mini facial set, a package of eye cloths {makeup remover plus much more in these things!} and a microderm lip treatment. 


If you aren't familiar with Rodan + Fields, here is the lowdown. Lots of great benefits if you choose to make this skincare program a part of your regimen...
If you are a Preferred Customer - $80 or more with a one time $19.95 fee you receive 10% off retail pricing, free shipping once a month. Rodan + Fields stands behind their product too: 60 day empty bottle money back guarantee if you don't like the product!
If you are interested in joining as a consultant, be sure to talk to Laura who is offering incentives towards the purchase of kits to get started. Laura mentioned this is great for almost anyone as it is very part time hours, it's not a party plan business so there is no inventory to keep on hand, no shipping or dealing with returns. 
Find Laura on facebook here for some great before and afters too! Winner receives the two great products below plus the mini facial.



Go ahead and enter below! There will be one winner, giveaway ends Friday and winner announced next Monday!

Friday, January 3, 2014

Five Recipes for 2014

Happy Friday y'all! Today I'm bringing you five recipes I think we can all try since every single one of us is on that same bandwagon- eat healthy! I'll be the first to tell you it doesn't happen for me every day. There, I said it. Do we occasionally get fast food? Yes. Are we in time crunches or just cannot think of something healthy to eat at the end of the day?  Does that mean takeout? Yes. But, then there are other days that we eat pretty good. And as long as I'm shooting for more of those "good" days, then I'm happy with that.

Blueberry Mango Smoothie
This recipe is so simple for a delicious smoothie in the morning. Blueberries have so many benefits and I think paired with mango it would be delicious!


I love that this smoothie uses almond milk. The smoothies I have made before have used yogurt, which make it thicker. I can't wait to try this version!


For those nights when the husband really wants some wings...these are baked, not fried and made with out any butter! 


Stephen and I try to partake in meatless Monday. I really don't mind missing meat at all, but the hubs is a little different. I'm hoping I can make him these black bean wraps, maybe at least for lunch.

These are my favorite turkey burgers, but I've never mentioned them on the blog before. They are packed with flavor and the sauce is delicious. Let me know if you try them! And of course, you could always sub the bun for lettuce to make them even healthier.


Linking up with the ladies of Five on Friday! Hope y'all enjoy the first weekend of 2014!


Thursday, January 2, 2014

Fun Gifts from 2013

I have to say we really got some amazing gifts this year for Christmas. I have a big family and we all exchange gifts, and of course Stephen and I treat each other to a nice Christmas as well. I thought I would mention some of my favorites that I was able to find online, because these things are awesome! 

Shark Steam Pocket Mop
I asked for this because I am constantly cleaning our floors. We have laminate wood floors and with two dogs, two adults and a baby I am always looking at spills and spots on the floor. It never ends. I usually use a swiffer wet jet, but I thought this would be nice to use since it uses steam to clean instead of a chemical solution. I am so excited about this!



Fitbit Flex
Also another gift I asked for. Stephen and I gave each other these in an effort to keep active every day. Being at home with Weeks, I have a hard time keeping track of how much activity I have accomplished. It's also been quite disturbing to see how many times I really wake up during the night...eek!! I love it so far. Do you have one?


Got this in Weeks' birthstone, aquamarine. Wearing aquamarine clears the mind and brings courage. Bring it on! 




My parents gave all of us one of these nifty little vacuums. It is already keeping me a little more sane with dog hair. I use it once a day! If you have dogs or babies, you need this. Seriously. You can use it as a vacuum as seen, or the bottom part snaps out for a dust buster. So amazing.

 Love these beauties I got. They are really large, and are currently on our mantel. I think they will not only look great with a big candle, but hydrangeas will be stunning in them as well!


Love my new Kate Spade wallet! It's fun to go out of the box with a bright color since my handbags usually are on the classic side.


I also got the most luxurious robe, new stemless chardonnay glasses, a new lens and tripod for my camera!!, and the coolest little breakfast sandwich maker. What was your favorite gift for 2013?