Currently…

So yeah, remember that time when I was like, "I'm going to get back to blogging" and then I vanished for a week? Ha!  I wish I didn't lie to y'all, but I have been ill folks!  So sick! Like staying in bed for 16 hours a day for a week ill! I'm praying that this week is better.  It has to be better, right? Right? Usually, when I'm sick I pray Pslam 30:5 "Weeping may spend the night, but there is joy in the morning." But it has been a week, so I'm praying that joy has to come this WEEK!  Okay, so let me catch you up on some of the things I've been doing lately:

Loving: We had Dutch’s one year pictures taken a couple weeks ago and I’m sorry but I can’t help but stare at how awesome these pictures are.  I stare at them multiple times a day.  It makes me feel vain because I stare at them so long lol Here are the proofs that we’ve received and I just love them.  I adore Grace Hill Photography and her work…..stand out folks!

 

Reading: Uhhhhh not much.  I have been rereading Bringing up Bebe again.  But I only get about 3 pages in before I pass out.  But I do love the book and see the value in rereading it because it refreshes my desires to teach Dutch certain characteristics.

Eating/Cooking: Summer produce is my jam! (Oh my gosh did I actually just write that?!?!?!?!!?!?) We’ve been eating tons and tons of summer produce and it’s delicious!  Corn, tomatoes, succatash, brussel sprouts, cucumbers, squash, strawberries, peaches, kale slaw, oh and did I say corn yet? yummmmmmm!

Watching: I’m noticing a trend and this might be a summer time thing for me, but I love me some Grey’s Anatomy reruns on Lifetime.  I love them!

Doing: We’ve been having an awesome summer.  Lot of walks, playing outside, going to the zoo, the berry farm, the children's museum, the library, gardening,  play dates, shopping too many times at Target, visiting with out of town family, had Dutch’s 1 year dr appt, and one year birthday party (actually we are still celebrating it the entire month of June hehe), and so many other fun things.  Daddy has taken several vacation days from work so that we can have staycations and explore even more of this city that we love so much already.  We really have been enjoying this summer.

Okay, so tell me about your summer so far!  What have you been doing? Reading? Eating? Watching?

JoyBound Apparel

Have you heard of the new and exciting brand JoyBound?!?!?! 
If you haven't, YOU ARE MISSING OUT! 

I have known the gorgeous Mia Eliza for, well I guess years now, and she is ah-maz-ing!  Not only is she simply stunning but she has two fabulous little boys, a love for family, and one incredible sense of style! 

When she decided to follow her dream to launch JoyBound Apparel I was so happy for her.  Her line is comfortable, chic, and affordable.  Mia Eliza wants to encourage and strengthen women to find joy in the everyday with her apparel line.  Who doesn’t love that?!

 But you don’t have to take my word for it. Check out some of my favorites:

You can shop online, follow on Instagram, or Pinterest.

Obligatory Blogger Disclaimer: I was not paid for this post; I just really like this brand.

Do you remember me?

Hey friends! It’s been a while. I took an unplanned hiatus from blogging.  It wasn’t intentional; it just happened.  We haven't been super busy or traveling.  In fact, it’s been pretty slow around here.  It’s been heavenly. We’ve taken time to just embrace the right now.  I’ve been really strict about saying “no” to a lot of things because I want to make sure that I’m not getting too busy.  I have a tendency to try and do everything all at once and then I end up exhausted or mad at myself because I was so busy that I missed something.  With the season of life that we’re in right now, we are trying to embrace this stage.  It really has been so awesome.

We’ve celebrated our first mothers day together, went to the zoo, chasing Dutch around the house, playing outside in the water, picking strawberries, reading lots of books, celebrated Dutch’s first birthday, gosh and so much more!  It’s been fun to just sit and embrace the right now.

However, I would be completely lying if I said I wasn’t thinking about our little space in blog land.  I have about 40, wait let me check……. excuse me, 43 drafts sitting in my box for you.  So I’ve got some good stuff coming your way.  I’m happy to be back and catch up with you.

Please stop and tell me what you’ve been doing lately.  I’ve missed you all dearly!

Six Beauty Must-Haves

I’ve shared my favorite beauty products before, but as with most things, my favorites seem to evolve as I evolve.  Once I became a mom my beauty regimen changed drastically.  Today I want to share my 6 favorite new mama beauty products; however, while I use these as timesavers now I still fully endorse them as great products for women at every life stage.
 
ALL of these products are under $10!
ALL of these products save time! 
Who doesn’t want more time & money?!

Here are my 6 go-to beauty products:
1. Dry Shampoo- Oh my stars this is a lifesaver!  I’ve tried dry shampoo before & never really been satisfied.  Previous dry shampoos have had such a strong odor that I develop a headache throughout the day or it leaves gray streaks in my hair (seriously the last thing I need is gray hair!).  So when Chelsea at The Perfect Catch recommended this dry shampoo I was honestly skeptical, but still desperate enough to try it hahahaha.  I’m not sure Chelsea knows how much she has saved our mornings with this little tip; thank you!  This light-weight dry shampoo smells amazing, but not too strong.  The dry shampoo quickly absorbs oil while still leaving my hair soft, and keeps my hair looking fresh even on days when I don’t get to wash my hair (which as a mama with a young baby this happens often). Another tip for using dry shampoo (thank you Meg.O!), is to style your hair on day one, then on the evening of day one before going to bed apply the dry shampoo and put your hair in a top knot for bed.  The next day your hair will be gorg!

2. Shower Cap- I don’t know if you would consider this a beauty product or not, but I’m including it.  So I was using the dry shampoo for a while and I kept getting these little humidity curls around the side of my face.  When I was washing my face in the shower some of the water would wet my hair and it would totally mess up my second-day hair-do.  It took me a while to realize that I just needed to wear a shower cap in the shower on days where my hair wasn’t going to be washed (duh!).  I wash my hair every other day, and on days where I’m not washing my hair I protect it and keep it dry by wearing a shower cap in the shower.

3. E.L.F. Makeup Mist- I know that I’ve pushed this product before, but I’m still obsessed! :-) This beauty repeat offender is a great way to set your makeup.  This mist is kind of like hairspray for your face.  I can apply my makeup in the morning and no matter how much playing or cleaning I do during the day, it is still going strong at the end of the day.  You apply all of your makeup and then lightly mist your face (2-3 pumps).  The mist helps to keep your makeup in place all day long so that you don’t have to reapply for touch-ups.  Since I started using this mist my makeup is as fresh in the evening as it was when I applied it in the morning, eveeeeeeeeeeen if it was a 14 hour day or it was 90 degree Houston weather.  I’m a believer in this stuff!

4. Tea Tree Essential Oil- (also know as Melaleuca alternifolia) I’ve posted about my Miracle Skin Care System before & mentioned Tea Tree Essential Oil.  This stuff is awesome!  If you haven't jumped on the essential oil train, you should start with this one.  I’m over 30 but I still have these annoying hormonal acne flare-ups here and there (typical regions for hormonal flare-ups are on the lower cheek/jaw line and chin). To quickly, and painlessly, clear-up a break-out, I dab a little Tea Tree EO on the area of interest 2x a day.  The Tea Tree EO will clear up a break-out within 24-48 hours.

5. Big Sexy Powder Play- This product is perfect for getting volume.  It is a weightless & odorless powder that you sprinkle into your hair and then shake it in with your fingers.  A little bit goes a long long long long way; you don’t need much to get your desired effect; I don’t think you’ll ever get to the bottom of the bottle.  I sprinkle this in at the crown of my head to give me a little poof.   If you’re a hair teaser this will definitely help you get some volume.

6. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish- I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time to go get a manicure and I certainly don’t have the time to wait for my nails to dry if I do them myself.  In fact, I hate to waste time even painting my nails if I know that it is going to chip off so quickly because I’m constantly washing dishes.  This polish goes on fast, dries fast, and stays on.  My favorite shades are grays and neutrals these days.

So those are my favorites these days. 

Tell me more though!

What tricks and tools do you have?

Obligatory Blogger Disclaimer: I was not paid for this post; I just really like these products.

DIY Bug Spray

Good morning and happy Monday!

I hope everyone had a great Easter weekend; we certainly did!  The Mr. took Thursday and Friday off, so we had a 4-day weekend with daddy home.  I love weekends like that :-)

Okay today I want to share my bug spray with you.  I try my best to make sure that everything around Dutch is promoting his health as much as possible.  With the mosquitos already in full force this spring in Houston, I wanted to make sure I had a healthy bug spray option for him.  This homemade bug spray is safe and effective for adults as well as young children.  There are two ways to make this: you can either have a spray or a cream.  I made the cream last year (and I still have it because apparently I made enough for everyone in the entire state of Texas), and this year I made the spray.

Ingredients:

Glass spray bottle OR glass mason jar

Peppermint essential oil (I use Young Living)

Purification essential oil (I use Young Living)

Distilled water (optional)

Coconut oil (optional)

Spray Directions:

1. In a spray bottle (4oz or smaller), put 5 drops of peppermint and 5 drops of purification.  Fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water.

2. Spray!

3. Bye bye skeeters!

Cream Directions:

1. Melt 4 oz of coconut oil, and then mix in 5 drops of peppermint and 5 drops of purification.  Pour into the mason jar, and stick in the fridge to harden.

2. Apply!

3. Bye bye skeeters!

What I’m Lovin’ Wednesday: New Mugs

I don’t know about you, but I’m a firm believer in how a new mug can totally change the flavor of your morning coffee.  Right? 
I’ve always been a big fan of the mugs at Anthropologie and this past weekend I purchased two new mugs and I’m loving them.  I’m convinced they’re the reason my coffee is extra yummy this week ;-)

Attingham Mug in Blush – Monogram Mug

I’ve still got my eyes on these two hehe

Attingham Mug in Navy – Forest Walk Mug

Do you have any mugs that I need to check out?

Happy Wednesday (and April Fool’s Day!)

Obligatory Blogger Disclaimer: I was not paid for this post; I just really like these products.

Easter is Coming!

Uh…. did you know that Easter is pretty much here? Wasn’t it just Christmas? Wow!
If it weren’t for my planner I would still be decorated in red and green with jingle bells!

Okay so today I’m dipping into the LWTH archives for some yummies to help you prep for Easter this weekend.  Check out these delicious recipes:

Homemade Lemonade

Lemon & Honey Beehive Cake

Shortbread Cookies

Cadbury Cupcakes

Cadbury Brownies

Egg Cup Breakfast

Have a sweet Monday!

Little Peep Bumpdate {40 Weeks Out!}

This was a really big milestone for me.  Like really big.  I still, still, can’t believe that my Little Peep is here.  I continue to have the mindset of a woman struggling with infertility; it is so surreal to me that he was conceived, grown in my womb, and now is here.  But not just here, like talking and crawling and smiling……OMG. HE. IS. HERE!

Mind is blown!

Anyways, Dutch has officially been on the outside of my womb for as long as he was inside.  To me that is just crazy!  He will probably be 40 years old before it finally clicks in my brain that he is here.  Until then I will happily live in this bliss-filled bubble of baby snuggles, babbling, and smiles.  I have been keeping track of his monthly post and picture I just haven’t hit publish on those drafts.  For some reason I think if I actually publish them then they will be real (as if they aren’t real just sitting in my draft box?!?!?!  Please forgive this sappy mama clearly living in denial!).  With his rapidly approaching first birthday (cue a symphony of sniffles), maybe I will actual hit publish. Maybe?

Okay the last time I had a bumpdate was when my little precious one was born.  It’s so funny to go back and look at what I was thinking or feeling at different times throughout my pregnancy and first weeks.  It’s only been a year and a half since I found out I was expecting, but wow what a period of growth physically, emotionally, and mentally it has been!

5 weeks - 31 weeks - 41 weeks

  Now it's time to add to this bumpy (hehehe) timeline!   5 weeks - 31 weeks - 41 weeks - 40 weeks postpartum *and since everyone keeps asking me, I'm happy to share, I gained 30 lbs during pregnancy and I'm now down 40 lbs since he was born* I guess the next big milestone is my little peep's first birthday. I am not ready.  Not ready at all!

Organic Homemade Teething Biscuits

Over the weekend I posted on Instagram that I was making some teething biscuits for Dutch and I received a lot of requests for the recipe.  It’s important to me to make sure that I start teaching my little boy from an early age that what you consume impacts your body.  I am very particular about the foods that I feed him; I want to make sure that I’m giving him the best future that I can.  When I make my own teething crackers/biscuits for him I know exactly what he is eating so I’ve been making these for him for a while.  I will do a post soon on the homemade baby food that I make for him. This is a super simple recipe that takes no time at all, and I like that Dutch can easily hold these in his hand.  Not going to lie, I’ve eaten a few of these with my coffee in the morning……kind of like biscotti lol  

Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats
1 cup steel cut oats ground in a blender
2 tbs maple syrup
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
1/2 tsp each of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and vanilla extract
1 tsp aluminum-free baking powder
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Pick one:
         1 cup apple sauce (I use homemade but you could also use organic)
         1 cup mashed bananas
         1 cup pumpkin puree

Directions for all flavors:

1. Mix all ingredients together. Mold them into little biscuits & place on a greased cookie sheet. 

2. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes and then flip them. Bake for an additional 20 minutes.

3. Store uncovered for about 24 hours so that they continue to harden.

4. Enjoy them at room temperature OR serve frozen when gums are sensitive.

Enjoy and Happy Wednesday Friends!

Currently. ...

Hi, remember me? It's been a while I know.  It's been a bittersweet absense. Of course I have missed sharing here and I think of y'all daily, but I've been soaking up every single baby moment Dutch has left because he isn't going to be a baby for much longer :-(  He is 9 months old & the anticipated  (but mostly dreaded) first birthday is right around the corner! Ahhhhh  
So currently what's going on in my world? (I'm typing this as Dutch sleeps next to me in bed, & the pups are snoring pretty loudly in their beds at the foot of our bed.)
:::Watching- Um, yeah not too much. I like to watch an episode of The Big Bang Theory before bed, and I've been trying to keep up with all those looney tune housewives on Bravo. Has anyone seen the new born in the wild show? It has certainly peaked my interests.
:::Craving- Samoas! Texans, this is what Caramel Delights are called on the east coast. Every year those little cute girl scouts in front of the grocery store get me & I have zero self control & to be honest I'm not even trying to control myself :-)
:::Drinking- Water like it's my job! Seriously I'm drinking so much water these days...like gallons of water.  I still limit myself to 1 cup of coffee a day. I'm so sad when that cup is gone :-(
:::Looking forward to- I say "looking forward to", but I can totally wait.  This is not one of those things where I'm saying "oh I can't  wait until....." because I do not let myself say that or live in that mentality anymore. I can definitely wait, but I'm looking forward to celebrating Easter with Dutch. It's my favorite holiday and the most important one for our faith so I'm looking forward to sharing that with him. Plus I ordered his Easter basket 2 weeks ago and his gifts yesterday  :-)
:::Wearing- Lately I'm pretty stuck on lace, ruffles, & neutral tones.  I got a new shirt and the Mr. asked me if it was the one I wore the day before. Since it wasn't,  I'm thinking that means all of my clothes are starting to look the same. 
:::Praying for- Single moms!  They have to be such a strong breed of woman! I was sick 2 days this week with a fever over 100 and I was out. I couldn't do anything.  I'm so glad the Mr. was home to help me, otherwise I don't know what would have happened.  I honestly don't know how single moms do it every day when they're healthy, but when they're sick?! Oh my goodness I admire them. Jesus please bless all the single mamas with extra grace, patience, love, and health!
:::Reading- Don't laugh but I finally finished the novel I started to pass the time the week before Dutch was born.  It really was a fun and easy book (Revenge Wears Prada) but I never could sit and read more than 2 pages at a time. This might be my new normal for a while.  Now I'm reading a French parenting book and noticing that my parenting style so far is very european.  It's a great book, but I'm only on chapter 3, so hopefully it doesn't take me a year to read it hahaha 
:::Listening- I've got my Pandora station set on my favorite Ella Fitzgerald & Duke Ellington station. When it comes to music I'm a very old soul.
:::Loving- Dry shampoo....it is a lifesaver and makes me feel like I can conquer the world! 
Okay that's me today.  How are y'all?  Tell me what you've been up to or what your plans are for this weekend :-)