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Cozy Chic Mommy

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CHEF'S CUT JERKY & BEER TASTING

CHEF'S CUT Jerky & Beer Tasting

     Taste testing Chef's Cut Jerky and pairing it with beer was the most fun I have ever had at a party. The flavors in the jerky are stupendous and seriously mouth-watering. I wanted a fun way to introduce my friends to a carb-free snack that I knew they would enjoy and this set up was definitely the bees knees.

Chef's Cut Jerky is 

• 12 grams of protein PER SERVING
• Nitrite FREE
• Gluten-FREE
• Premium meat
• NO fillers
• Cut by hand
• Slow smoked
• Chef-crafted

     When pairing a beer with the star of the night, the jerky. I had to look up some beer pairing charts to see what flavors would go well together. I stuck with pale ale, belgian wheat, and spiced ale to compliment the jerky flavors I had. I pinned the chart on my pinterest if you are interested in throwing a Chef's Cut Jerky & Beer Tasting as well. 

Here are the pairings I came up with:

Belgian Wheat:

Buffalo Style Chicken

Chipotle Cracked Pepper Steak

Pale Ale:

Honey Barbecue Chicken

Original Recipe Steak

Spiced Pear Ale:

Teriyaki Turkey

     I didn't have to spend much on the decorations. I used some black paper that I already had as well as white coloring pencils and a white gel pen, which is what I used to make all the food signs. As for the large sign, I bought a chalkboard from Home Goods for $7.99 and sharpened a piece of chalk to get more precise lettering.

     What are you waiting for? Grab some Chef's Cut Jerky and get to tasting!

SUNDAY: A DAY TO REFLECT

Cardigan LOFT | Denim LOFT | Blouse LOFT | Shoes JCREW

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     This morning I woke up with really solidly understanding why baptism is seriously NOT the very thing that saves and why faith that Jesus died for our sins is. If faith is circumcision of the heart then we must see that the heart is the very thing that the spirit lives in. It says it. How many times does it say that? Lots. So if that is to be true, that is the part that matters; our soul. Then for us to be baptized is just to show that our bodies are following along. This very body isn't the item that is going to heaven.2 Corinthians 5- we are to be given bodies by God that are not made by man. So it really is all to do with my soul. My soul is what needed to be changed and reviewed by the lord. That is what needed to be cleaned inside so that my sins could be washed away for the spirit to come and live inside of me to help me battle myself and everything of this world. The body is simply a mask for my heart. Something for my heart to live in. I have to get baptized to show everyone I am a Christian. It's a way of NOT denying Him. It shows that I am  proclaiming He is lord. 1 Peter 3:21 the pledge of a clear conscious to God. I am making an appeal of my heart to Him and letting Him know I accepted Him and I love Him. Thank you Lord for giving me answers.

MY BIRACIAL FAMILY

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     Earlier this year I wrote a post about my biracial marriage and how we are treated as a couple and now I wanted to give some insight on how our family is treated as a whole. Raising kids no matter the color is always challenging. Everyone we meet comments on how adorable our children are because they are mixed. People tend to say that "mixed babies are the cutest" which always gives me a good laugh. Yes, I would agree with this statement because I have mixed babies, but aren't all babies cute in their own way? I find it funny that 'because' my babies are mixed, people think they are cute. It is a statement I hear all too often. I wouldn't say that I am opposed to hearing it, I just find it to be an interesting proposition. 

     Something that is unique about our family is that each child resembles one of us. Our daughter favors her father's darker skin and features. While Matthew favors my lighter skin and features. Both of which are exact opposites. Usually in mixed scenarios, the children tend to be a color that meets somewhere in between both parents pigment, but not in our case. Matthew has blue eyes like me and Riley has brown eyes like her daddy. Because of the extreme differences of our kids, people tend to stare long and hard at our family. 

     Some people think that our kids are not ours when we are out alone with them; they think Riley is not my daughter and that Matthew is not his father's because of the way we all look. When we are all together, some people will ask if Matthew is from both my husband and I because we ended up with a darker first-born and a lighter second-born. I am here to tell you that just because your kids are mixed does not mean they will be an even color that meets in the middle of the parent's skin color. Our kids are a great example of that. I think we should have more mixed families on television, so that people can be aware and educated on the matter. I don't get upset when people ask me if our children have the same parents because it is an honest mistake, but I don't exactly love the stares and looks that we get sometimes. The looks that we rarely get, makes me feel like I am a woman who stepped out on her man and had a baby with another guy because Matthew is so light and mostly resembles that of a caucasian baby. 

     I mostly just want to say that I love being a part of a mixed family that is full of love and honors the Lord. I love that our children look so different because each takes after one of us. They are ours and we love them and each other. 

     Feel free to comment!

LET THIS SUMMER BLOW YOU AWAY LIST

Top boutique in Florida | Bottoms LOFT | Shoes Jack Rogers | Bag Kate Spade Outlet

     Make a summer to do list that will blow your mind and leave you feeling invigorated. I plan on traveling the US this summer and doing things that make me feel silly and giddy inside. Structure is good with having kids, but I need to color outside of the lines a little and live the life God has given me to the fullest. Here are a few things I plan on doing this summer:

• Dance under the stars with my husband
• Read outside in the fresh air
• Swim in the sun 
• Go on a road trip that is more than 4 hours away
• Fly to at least one state
• Try a new dessert
• Roll the windows down in the car and sing to a song that moves me and makes me feel good
• Date day in NYC with my husband
• Go deeper with God and have some SELAH time with the Holy Spirit
• Pick flowers in a random field
• Find a bike to ride in a cute little town
• Kiss my kids and hug them often 
• Enjoy a family picnic outdoors
• Dance while running and pushing the stroller

WEEKEND TRADITION: PASTRIES

Top J Crew Factory | Bottoms Aerie | Happy Baby Wrap | Shoes Nike 

     Being a military wife certainly isn't easy and I won't be able to tell you much about it in one sitting, but what I do want to share with you is that having a tradition can be very important. With all of the moving and constant changes, finding something that feels familiar is my saving grace. We started the tradition of eating pastries on the weekend when I was a young child living in New York near family. 

     I have found that carrying the tradition with my husband and children has been a good way for me to keep some stability in my life. At times it can seem like the world is caving in on me and doing something familiar on a weekly basis makes me feel at peace. My favorite part of eating pastries on the weekend is the part where we walk to get them. We don't always buy our pastries; sometimes we make them, but when we do buy them, the walk is favorite part. I like breathing in the cool morning air, feeling the breeze on my skin, watching families hop in and out of their cars as they prepare for their full day ahead of them, and being able to talk with my husband and daughter. 

     Talks with my family on our walk feels so different from our talks in the car. It feels like for a moment, that time has slowed down to let us enjoy one another in a real way. I feel like we are always bonding in a new way each time that we walk to get our pastries. This summer I urge you to find the time to embark on a new journey with your family. Do something that you will be able to continue on a repetitive basis. I have found so much joy in this tradition and I think you will too. 

RUNNING WITH MY BOB DUALLIE STROLLER

Running shorts Adidas | Running shoes Brooks | Jogging stroller Duallie BOB

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     Running has become more of a hobby ever since I became a mother. I have always enjoyed running, but even more so now that I have two kids and here is why; I can bring them with me! Being able to bring my kids with me is extremely convenient and I am so thankful for our BOB Duallie. I usually go running with them before their naps, so I can shower while they are sleeping and get some rest before we head out to do another activity in the afternoon. 

     The BOB is the perfect running stroller to use with kids. The optional lock in swivel wheel makes it really easy to turn and maneuver the stroller, while the size of the wheels provide a smooth ride for both you and your kids. I have researched all of the jogging strollers out there and have seen how other ones work, but the BOB is by far the best out there. The stroller never rattles, never gets stuck, and it never lets me down.

     The price of a BOB is pricey, but don't let that stop you from having a great running experience with your kids. My husband gave me the option of having a fancier nursery or buying the stroller and I decided to go with the stroller. I figured I would be a much better mom for doing something that I enjoy during the day so I don't go crazy from feeling stuck. I also want my kids to see how important it is to stay healthy and active while still being able to involve your kids and I think they will get that from leading by example.
 
      Just because you become a parent, doesn't mean you should have to drop all of your desires, hobbies, and interests. Instead, it means you have to work a little harder to make room for those things and you become more of a problem solver.

A GOOD SUMMER BOOK & MY PREPPY LOOK

Button up blouse J Crew factory | Denim Loft | Necklace J Crew factory | Watch Kate Spade | Bag Kate Spade Outlet | Sandals J Crew factory | Eyeglasses Warby Parker | Sunnies Ray Ban boyfriend style | Book Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin

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     Summer is practically here and that means reading a good book while the kids nap. I have tried reading while Riley is awake, but it never seems to work out. My first book of the summer is titled "Heart of the Matter" by Emily Giffin. She is known for her fun sense of humor and easy to follow dialogue and I simply couldn't resist reading one of her novels.
   
     So far, the book has revealed two main characters and their families; Tessa is a stay at home mom with a doctor for a husband, while Valerie is a working single mother. Their paths will cross at some point, but I haven't gotten to that part yet. Join me in my summer reading and discuss the plot along the way.

STAND UP PADDLE & FREE LESSON IN HAWAII

Stand up paddling in Kahala

Stand up paddling in Kahala

Stand up paddling at Pokai Bay

Pokai Bay with Uncle George

Equipment:

• Paddle
• Surfboard
• Swimsuit 
• Sunscreen

     Stand up paddle, also referred to as 'SUP', is a water sport similar to surfing where you stand up on a surfboard and use a paddle to glide and steer through the water. Stand up paddle requires you to use a board that fits your height requirements, so make sure you are purchasing a board that is long enough to keep you stable on the water. Your paddle should also be a specific length; with your paddle upside down, the neck should meet the height of your forehead. 

     Stand up paddle has become a popular outdoor sport in the last couple of years and is continuing to grow. Most people in Hawaii go SUPing instead of running and paddle out to little 'mokes' or islands. I have also seen people doing yoga on stand up paddles, so be sure to look up SUP clubs in your area through Facebook and other social media outlets. 

     The best water to stand up paddle in is calm water with little to no current for easy steering. My favorite spot to stand up paddle is at Pokai Bay in Waianae. I love paddling in the bay with all of the sea turtles and fish and also for the free equipment we are able to use. There is a local man, Uncle George, who gives free SUP lessons and lets you use his equipment for free at Pokai Bay. He gives you all the necessary skills to successfully and safely paddle across the bay and can help you to fine tune your skills if you are not a novice. I highly recommend looking him up and contacting him through his Facebook page. 

MY BIRACIAL MARRIAGE

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     I wasn't expecting to be writing about my biracial marriage so soon, but after our trip from Hawaii to New York, I was compelled to share. My husband and I have been married for almost three years and share one child together. I will tell you that people always ask us how we met and how many years we have been married right off the bat. A lot of people assume I got 'knocked-up' outside of marriage, which led us to walk down the aisle, but that just isn't our story. People tend to project a lot of the stereotypes of white women being with a black man on to me; the assumption that white girls who are with black men are 'easy' or 'loose', uneducated, lazy, a gold digger, a 'black ball' (something is seriously wrong with me), or that I couldn't find a white guy. These assumptions are just to name a few stereotypes that I have had painted on me. 

     It really is kind of funny to see how people love or hate us; people either tend to try really hard to prove to Ben and I they aren't racist/prejudice by over trying, or they hate us and give us the most disgusted looks you could possibly imagine. I am still surprised at the amount of people that display contempt toward us and have no shame in letting us know with their facial expressions that they do not approve of our 'lifestyle'. 

     I think you have to have pretty thick skin and a loving heart to be in a biracial relationship, because you will constantly be judged by other people you don't know. People are conditioned at a young age to do things that are socially acceptable in their culture; they are to follow certain guidelines that their families give them. One of these guidelines is to never date a person outside of your race. If you are white, you can be friends with a black person, but you can never be in a relationship with them, let alone marry them. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a home where my parents were accepting and open to me being with a man from another race. My dad is the one person who actually encouraged me to pursue Ben. My mother always asked me how he was doing over the years and if I liked him, but I wasn't 100% sold on the idea until I felt supported by my parents. We tend to 'people-please' unconsciously and it's something I don't think will ever change. 

     During our recent travel, Ben and I experienced both of the above statements; that people love or hate us.  I think a lot of people are curious as to how biracial couples get together and most assume the stereotypes that I listed because they just don't know how else it could happen. 

    Per usual, we were asked many questions by the people that 'love us' and wanted to know more about us; They wanted to know how we met. The people who hate us, greeted us with disgusted facial expressions. Unfortunately, the people who were disgusted with us are imprinted on my memory; their faces will eventually fade after time passes, but it is hard to forget when it first happens. I try not to take it personally when people disapprove of our relationship, but the truth is that is still hurts me to see how people can dislike something so much without ever giving us (biracial couples) a chance. 

     After almost three years of marriage, Ben and I have learned to laugh it off or not discuss it all together. We go through it so much that it has become the norm for us; it seems trivial to bring it up. I fell in love with my husband for the man he is not for what he is. Yes, it does help that he is educated and handsome, but isn't that what we look for in a spouse? I was looking for a man I could relate to and someone that could take care of me and make me feel safe. I wanted a man who was strong in his faith and respected his family. I found all of this in Ben and that is why I married him. His skin color happens to be darker than mine, but my love for him is based on his character. So yes, I love a man that is black and his black skin has become a part of me.