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 FIVE FAVORITE SKIN CARE TIPS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

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Head over to VitaPearl to read about 'My Five Favorite Skin Care Tips for Pregnant Women' by clicking here for a direct link to the article that I wrote. 

COZY CHIC MOMMY

Sweater J CREW factory | Button-up LOFT | Denim LOFT | Scarf LOFT | Shoes UGGs

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     I feel like this outfit sums up my style perfectly. This outfit is cozy, its chic, and its timeless; denim, button-ups, sweaters, and uggs on my feet are all the things that I love. I definitely look for clothes that I can move around in, so I can chase after my kids, yet I still want to look 'cute' and have people stop and think "Oh I like that outfit. Where did she get it from?"

     I typically don't over-dress, but I want to still make a fashion statement every time I step out the door.

WHAT DELIVERY OPTIONS DID YOU CONSIDER? MY STORY

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Click on the link here to go directly to VitaPearl and read my story.

MINI VALENTINES CHEESECAKE & RED VELVET BROWNIES

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Mini Valentine's Cheesecake

Ingredients:

Crust

• Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie dough (12 pieces)

Filling

• 1 (8 oz.) block of cream cheese room temperature
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup + 2tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 1 egg room temperature
• 3 tbsp. sour cream room temperature 
• 3 tbsp. heavy whipping cream room temperature

Whipped topping

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 6 drops of red dye food coloring

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lightly spray cupcake tray with baking spray.
3. Place one square of dough in each cupcake-well and pat down.
4. Bake dough crust in oven for 5 minutes.
5. Tap on counter to get the dough to flatten.
6. Beat cream cheese, salt, and vanilla in a stand mixer bowl for about 3 minutes until smooth and creamy.
7. Mixing speed on low, gradually adding sugar and flour.
8. Turn up to high for 1 minute.
9. Mixing speed on low, add egg. Mix until INCORPORATED.
10. Add sour cream and heavy whipping cream on high for 1 minute.
11. Divide filling evenly in 12 cupcake wells.
12. Bake for 20-25 minutes. 
13. Let cool in the cupcake tray for 30 minutes.
14. Place in fridge for 1 hour to stiffen.

1. Mix heavy whipping cream, sugar, red dye, and vanilla until the cream reaches stiff peaks.
2. Pipe whipped cream on top when ready to serve.

Red Velvet Brownies

Ingredients:

Brownie batter

• 1 box red velvet cake mix
• 1 stick of butter (8 tbsp.) melted
• 3 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 2 eggs

Cream cheese mix

• 1 (8oz.) package of cream cheese room temperature
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease 9x9 pan.
3. In bowl, combine cake mix, butter, oil, and eggs. Save 1/3 cup of batter cake mix and set aside (will be used for the design). Batter will be thick.
4. Beat cream cheese until smooth, then add sugar until combined. 
5. Beat in egg until well blended, then add vanilla and mix on high for another minute. 
6. Pour cream cheese topping evenly on top of brownie batter. 
7. Take 1/3 cup of brownie batter and add 2 tbsp. of water in a bowl.
8. Dollop thinned out batter on top of the cream cheese layer in rows.
9. Use a toothpick to run through the dollops to create a design. 
10. Bake for 22-30 minutes depending on oven and dish. Make sure the brownies are finished by placing a toothpick in the middle and testing to see if the toothpick comes out clean. 

HOW I TOLD MY HUSBAND I WANTED TO START A FAMILY

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     This is a direct link to my article I wrote for VitaPearl on how I told Ben that I wanted to start having children.

     You can click here to access the article on the VitaPearl website.

HOW TO SHOWER WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS

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This is a direct link on my article "HOW TO SHOWER WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS" that I wrote for VitaPearl. 

Happy reading! I hope this helps to give you a piece of mind on how YOU can stay your best while having kids. It can be so hard to break away and find a minute for yourself, but what I explain in the article works for me. 

EAT CLEAN EAT REAL: NOTHIN' BUT FOODS

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Where To Buy? Click here

I can't tell you many times I have bought the same gluten free bar as my mid-day snack or morning run breakfast. I was getting so tired of eating the same bar and now I don't have to anymore because the Nothin' But bar just came in to my life! My daughter and I are obsessed with these bars and here is why...

Nothin' But bars are:

• Packed with nuts, oats, and berries
• Oven baked
• GMO free
• Kosher
• No eggs, butter, wheat, or gluten
• No fillers

If the list above isn't enough, they are made in a kitchen and not a lab and are 100% NATURAL. I will be sporting these bars wherever I go to feed my family's hunger needs. The best part about these bars is they are on Amazon Prime. That's right, you can have them shipped straight to your door. I included the link, so just click on 'Amazon Prime' or here to purchase them. 

ZOTOS PROFESSIONAL BEHIND THE SCENES

Taking pictures with the master colorist, Mike Petrizzl

Getting glammed up

Coloring my hair in the studio

Behind the scenes look at ZOTOS' mixing room

Color samples

Taking tips from the photographer on where to place my hand, so he could get a great shot!

One of the other hair models getting a plum balayage

In the process of adding blonde back in to my hair

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     Taking a day away from the kids to get a behind the scenes look at Zotos Professional Inc. was quite an experience. I was asked to be a hair model for the day and got a tour of their building. We got to see where they make their formulas for each item they sell, their testing salon, and their studio where they film. We also got to meet with some skilled artists in the hair industry as well as a photographer and lovely make-up artist.

     The day was jam packed with lots and lots of pictures and hair coloring. I got my make-up done and was given some extremely helpful tips on how to do a professional balayage on my hair from Mike Petrizzl. Mike is a colorist from New York City and works at a fabulous salon in Chelsea, so it was such a treat to get some helpful pointers on how to do my coloring the right way.

     We took my 7N& 8A hair color to a lighter, brighter color by adding some bleached pieces using the technique known as balayage. Balayage is the method of sweeping on hair color to create softer highlights. I am looking to go even blonder, but have to do it in steps so I don't ruin my hair.

     I have never been so proud to be a part of such a loving and talented company. It is such an honor to be able to blog for Zotos Professional. Mind you, I am not on their payroll, but I do test out their new products and share my thoughts on each item. This opportunity all came about when I ventured out to Sally Beauty Supply to try a new color line in the Spring of 2015. While researching the brands I found at Sally's, I felt that the Zotos color line had the highest concentration of color and nutrients that I was looking for. I blogged about my love for their hair products and one of their public relations employees contacted me. The rest is history.

THE IMPORTANCE OF KID FRIENDLY SPOTS

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     Finding kid friendly places are few and far between and when you find them, you cherish them dearly! The best part about kid friendly places is that you don't have to bring a bag full of toys. Look up kid friendly places in your neighborhood by searching on google and looking for mom & baby groups for a list of activities to do with your children. 

     I wanted to share a few photos from the family friendly bakery we went to last weekend. We had so much fun and lingered for hours.