FRIDAY FAVORITES
May 20, 2016 • SHOP
Happy Friday friends!! Let me start this Friday Favorites list with my baby girl in her first pair of big girl jeans. Chad dressed her that morning and when she came around the corner I almost cried it was too cute to handle. You can see how proud she.
Sole Society leather sandals - you all I wear these sandals almost every day of the week. They go with just about every outfit in my closet. I bought a similar pair last year from Target and wore them so much they started to break. I was so excited to find these for almost half off the original price this season.
Sole Society leather sandals - you all I wear these sandals almost every day of the week. They go with just about every outfit in my closet. I bought a similar pair last year from Target and wore them so much they started to break. I was so excited to find these for almost half off the original price this season.
Jackie Blue Handmade - this jewelry is handmade by a woman who has an incredible story. Jackie and her husband are unable to have biological children. So she is saving the money made from her jewelry sales to cover the expenses of building their family in a non-traditional way. Her sorority sister has donated her eggs to them so her husband can pass on his genes and Jackie will carry the baby. In addition to her amazing story, her jewelry is fabulous! I have several of her bracelets and wear them all the time.
Fruit prints - Pineapple and watermelon are two of my favorite prints this summer, especially for a toddler wardrobe. My obsession with fruit print everything was inspired by this incredibly cute swimsuit at Target. Not to mention the fact that Everly's favorite thing in the entire world is fruit. So it fits her perfectly. These watermelon print cropped leggings are adorable for summer. This sheet set is in the running for Everly's new big girl bedroom we are planning this summer. And while searching the internet for more fruity inspiration I came across this adorable second birthday party theme. I think it's time to start party planning!
Shake It Off leotard - Everly is LOVING her tumble class. So we decided to register her for the summer program which is two days a week now. She currently has one leotard so it was time to add a second to her weekly routine.
Free Printable labels by Zuer Designs on The Creativity Exchange - How amazing is that pantry?! Goodness I have got to get my organization skills in check. This might just be the inspiration I needed to get my cabinets cleaned out.
Hope you all have a fabulous weekend! Thanks for stopping by!
Hope you all have a fabulous weekend! Thanks for stopping by!
MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO
May 18, 2016 • MOTHERHOOD
As Everly has grown and become more vocal, her ability to communicate with us has become so much easier. She understands most of what we say. She is putting sentences together and understands commands... and gives some commands herself. She repeats words and names we ask her to say. She copies my moves when we dance together. She watches me when I am trying to teach her a new tumble trick. When Everly is being stubborn and wont give Daddy a kiss, he will come kiss me, and soon she will follow. Monkey see, monkey do- it's her favorite game to play.
The other day we were standing in the dog park watching Max play around and I was unconsciously tapping my cell phone against my leg while we waited. I didn't realize what I was doing until Everly asked for Chad's phone. When Chad wouldn't let her have it she got upset so I handed over mine. She then proceeded to try tapping it against her leg and looked up at me with the proudest grin. When we were all watching Max, she was watching me. Tears came to my eyes.
It happened again over the weekend when I was cleaning our kitchen. I was wiping our counters down with Clorox wipes and I looked up to see Everly pulling approximately fifty wipes out of her diaper bag. Before I could get on to her she stood up and walked over to her play kitchen and proceeded to wipe everything down. Emotion came over me again. I felt silly. But then I realized why- I had no idea she was watching me. My baby is observing me, every move I make, even when I'm not commanding her to watch. She is learning from me even when I don't realize it.
I've seen myself shine through in her before when she pats her baby doll on the back as she lays her down to go "night night". Or when she points her finger and tells Elmo "no bite!" But it was in those quiet moments when I thought no one was watching I heard God speak to me. The words I say, the behaviors I model, even in those small unexpected moments, Everly is observing. Am I modeling the example I want Everly to follow, that God wants her to follow? It was never more clear to me that I am shaping Everly's future and the kind of woman she will become. Of course I knew that all along, but in those moments it smacked me right in the face.
It's so easy to lose track of that fact in the day-to-day busy nonsense. So that night I prayed. Which isn't unusual for me. I pray often and thank the Lord for the life He has blessed me with. But I hardly ever pray for myself, almost always I pray for Chad and Everly. I pray that He will watch over her, protect her. I pray for Him to guide her down the path that He sees for her. And the answer to my prayers stood clear in front of me in that dog park when my little girl started tapping my phone against her leg. He is using me to guide Everly. And that night, I prayed for myself.
I've always felt like I was just winging life, taking it day by day blindly, doing whatever felt good. I question everyday whether or not I am doing this right. But motherhood has given me a purpose and a direction. He is using me to raise His children. I live my life for her, for Him. There is something so magical about motherhood. It has a way of completely breaking you down until you're on your knees and then lifting you up in the most powerful way all at the same time. (remember that emotional whiplash I referred to a few posts back?)
Thank you Lord. Thank you for my little monkey and this amazing circus. And thank you for using Everly to make me a better person and a better Christian in return. As someone who fails you everyday, I will not fail you with this.
I live my life for you baby girl.
PS - sorry Mom and Grandma for making fun of you all these years for being the emotional messes you both are, as I am now one myself. You both love so much it hurts and I now understand what that means. And thank you for being my guidance and my shield as I was growing up. I am the woman I am today thanks to you.
PS - sorry Mom and Grandma for making fun of you all these years for being the emotional messes you both are, as I am now one myself. You both love so much it hurts and I now understand what that means. And thank you for being my guidance and my shield as I was growing up. I am the woman I am today thanks to you.
MEMORIAL DAY MINI STYLE
May 14, 2016 • HOLIDAYS, SHOP
We cannot wait for the upcoming three day weekend. We plan on spending our days on the lake with hot dogs on the grill and popsicles in hand. The official start of summer is coming. Although we've had some crazy cold weather lately with awful storms along with it. Hopefully Mother Nature will get her act together before too long.
But rain or shine we are ready to celebrate our country and remember our troops with festive fashion.
sunglasses / anorak / check shirt / red top / romper
tee / starry shorts / trunks / swimsuit
I am loving all of these outfits for the little miss and mr. I would totally wear those starry shorts if they carried them in my size. And if I had a little dude he would definitely rock that color block pullover. It would be perfect for the wind and rain we've had lately. Outfit plans for Momma include a blue tie dye shift dress I just bought from a local boutique and this raglan tee from one of my favorite Kentucky shops.
This weekend BOTH of my sisters are in town. So we are spending as much time with them as possible. We tried out a new brewery downtown and took a stroll around the local bbq festival last night. Tomorrow we plan on grilling out and back porch swinging after church. The best way to spend Sundays.
In other news we finally finalized our blueprint of our soon to be new house! Our contractor is bidding out to subcontractors and will be a couple of weeks before we take the next step. I think I can see a flicker of light at the end of the apartment tunnel!
MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND
May 10, 2016 • HOLIDAYS, MOTHERHOOD
I hope you all had a great Mother's Day weekend. I sure did. We had a chill weekend filled with the people I love the most.
Saturday Chad took baby duty while my mom and I went out for a girl's morning. We got manicures and pedicures followed by some shopping at a couple of new boutiques in town. I received this gem of a picture while we were out. Apparently Everly enjoyed her morning as well.
That little bikini was a present Chad brought home from San Diego. He was so proud of it. I think it's the cutest.
My mom took Everly Saturday afternoon while Chad and I attended a local KWC alumni derby event. We finished the night off with a little ice cream date and headed home to get the babe. It was the absolute perfect day.
Sunday morning Chad and Everly took me out for breakfast. And it was such a beautiful day we decided to go for a little walk downtown. That afternoon we took a road trip to Hartford to visit with Chad's mom. We ate dinner together and Everly got her first experience at making homemade banana ice cream.
Saturday Chad took baby duty while my mom and I went out for a girl's morning. We got manicures and pedicures followed by some shopping at a couple of new boutiques in town. I received this gem of a picture while we were out. Apparently Everly enjoyed her morning as well.
My mom took Everly Saturday afternoon while Chad and I attended a local KWC alumni derby event. We finished the night off with a little ice cream date and headed home to get the babe. It was the absolute perfect day.
BEAUTY FAVORITES
May 9, 2016 • SHOP
One of the things my sisters and I love to share most frequently are beauty tips and products we've recently discovered. I'm always asking Courtney where she got her lipstick, and Leslie's hair is always on point. By no means am I a beauty expert. I learned how to do my own make-up by watching a million YouTube videos. Tiffany and Jaclyn are my two favorite gurus. And half the time, on the weekends especially, you'll see me with no make-up on at all. I am not a natural beauty, it just happens that way when you have a toddler who wakes up before you do. But I thought it would still be fun to share some of my favorite products with you all. I'm always looking for a new lip color or eye shadow to try. But there are a few products I refuse to stray away from.
Mario Badescu's entire line is my absolute favorite. I have very oily skin so I have to be picky with what I put on my face. I use the Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Cucumber Cleansing Lotion, followed by the Oil Free Moisturizer twice a day. I rarely have breakouts with this line and it seems to really help keep my skin oil free throughout the day. I highly recommend the entire set. If I run out of the Cucumber Cleansing Lotion I can tell a huge difference in my skin within a couple of days. Twice a week I'll also use the Whitening Mask after I wash my face. I have melasma and this has definitely improved my skin tone. These products are not harsh, nor do they make my skin dry or peel. You can also find the entire line at Ulta.
L'Oreal Lineur Intense - This has a felt tip eyeliner and goes on so smoothly. I have never liked the way pencil eyeliner looked on me. And I always thought it was much more difficult and time consuming to put on than liquid. And let's be real, time is precious when you're getting ready for work in the mornings at the same time you're entertaining a toddler. So when I discovered this, I fell in love. The felt tip makes it so easy to put on as thin or thick as you want.
Osis+ Mattifying Powder - Probably my favorite beauty product of all time. I use this when I want some volume in my ponytails or messy buns. I use it on my roots when I curl or straighten my hair. I don't have to tease my hair at all when I use this. It. Is. Awesome. Just sprinkle a little wherever you want some volume/texture, run your fingers through it and it's good to go. The volume lasts all day too... and I'm not going to lie, sometimes I'll wake up the next morning with my hair still looking good and I'll rock it on day two as well.
Tarte Lip Paint - I recently tried this product and I love it so much I'm considering going back to Ulta for more colors. I have the color 'Goals' and it is the perfect nude/pink color. It actually tints your lips so it lasts a long time. It doesn't dry out my lips like a lot of lipsticks do either, which is a total plus. This will be all you need in the summer when you're on the beach or at the pool. Throw on your oversized sunnies and some of this lip gloss and you're all set!
Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller - This roller has a lightweight sheer tint to it that instantly brightens my eyes and erases dark circles. This is the perfect addition your light summer make-up. I love this because it's not heavy and doesn't settle in the lines around my eyes. I have used this for years every morning as part of my daily routine. Sometimes on the weekend I'll roll this under my eyes, put on a bit of lip gloss and head out the door.
Please share any great beauty recommendations you have. I am always on the hunt for something to freshen up my routine. Hope you all have a great week!
Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller - This roller has a lightweight sheer tint to it that instantly brightens my eyes and erases dark circles. This is the perfect addition your light summer make-up. I love this because it's not heavy and doesn't settle in the lines around my eyes. I have used this for years every morning as part of my daily routine. Sometimes on the weekend I'll roll this under my eyes, put on a bit of lip gloss and head out the door.
Please share any great beauty recommendations you have. I am always on the hunt for something to freshen up my routine. Hope you all have a great week!
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