TRIP TO TEXAS

Never have I ever been on such a long trip with the kids and I have to tell you it was a success! Ben has to do a lot of traveling for his job right now and that means staying in hotels, driving rental cars, and eating out. I didn't want to be home without him, so we tagged along and got to enjoy all that traveling has to offer. 

We started off in Dallas for a few days and got to delight in some food that you all saw me post on my Instagram; Hopdoddy, SouthPaw, and Cafe Express. We also got to swim at the hotel and play at an outdoor splash pad at one of the nearby parks. Riley had a ball and so did we! After just a few days in Dallas we headed over to Houston where we hotel hopped from one Marriott Spring Hill to a Marriott Residence Inn right in the heart of Houston. It was the best decision. We were in walking distance to so many neat shops and great food places. We also got to enjoy leisurely walks inside the Galleria Mall and their little play gym for Riley to climb all over. 

In between our trip, Riley turned two! We took her to Sea World in San Antonio on her birthday and ended it with dinner at Olive Garden. It was such a treat to see the look on her face when she saw the whales and dolphins jumping out of the water. She was so happy and I could see that we made her day!

How did we travel from city to city you might ask? In a little sedan! It wasn't the nicest car I have ever been in, but we made it work. We brought Riley's iPad with us, so she could watch movies, and we made sure to have lots of snack for her to choose from like: popcorn, chips, apples, gummies, pretzels, and cookies (we have experienced healthier road trips). I definitely recommend going on a trip or many trips for that matter with kids. The experiences and memories are ones that will last forever. Don't wait. Get out there and start living! Your kids will adjust. 

LESS IS MORE

My favorite beauty products right now

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    Contouring, fake lashes, and hair extensions are all the craze these days. It is becoming the norm for people to be done up and it makes me sad. I think wearing a lot of make-up does an injustice to woman all over. We are raising the bar for what men think is pretty. This bar is unrealistic and as far from natural as we could possibly be. I don’t want my little brother getting the idea that make-up is supposed to be on a woman’s face. What happens when it all comes off? What happens when he thought a high cheekbone existed when it doesn’t? What happens when he finds out that the lashes he loves so dearly are glued on?

     I feel like these three things: contouring, lashes, and hair extensions are deceiving men. Just the other day I was talking to my husband about a few women and asked him if he thought each item was real or fake and he got every answer wrong. He can no longer tell the difference between real and fake. It concerns me that we have put such a heavy emphasis on being made up. What does this mean? How should I feel with my not so thick head of hair, my blonde eyelashes, and my porous skin? I thought I was supposed to love me for me. I AM supposed to love me for me and I do, but all these things are making it hard for me to do just that!

     I can appreciate subtle contouring that is on the natural side. It is an art and I admire skilled artists, but I don’t think looking like a tiger before you blend your make-up is necessary. An alternative to changing your look can be picking out a darker lip color or dying your hair. I am nervous for my little brother's view on what women should look like. I want my brother to grow up finding women beautiful in their natural state with nothing on their skin. I want him to see that pimple on a girl’s face and see it as normal and a passing thing. I want my brother to see that ‘shrimpy’ braid on a girl and say “Wow, what pretty hair she has!” I want my brother to see the girl with shorter, stubbier lashes and know that she is fearfully and wonderfully made, because God made her.

     I think there is a difference between enhancing our features and creating ones that don’t really exist. Make-up can be a lot of fun to wear, but we have to know that we are beautiful and believe it with every fiber in our bodies. Love you for you!

5 MIN BURRITO BOWL

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Ingredients:

• Avocado
• Tomato
• Romaine lettuce
• Onion
• Pinto beans
• Shredded cheese
• Flour tortilla
• Sour cream
• Sriracha

Directions:

1. Cut tortilla up and place on the bottom of the bowl
2. Place beans over the tortilla
3. Sprinkle cheese over the beans
4. Place dish in microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute
5. Cut lettuce and place on top of beans
6. Cut tomato and place on top of lettuce
7. Cut avocado and place on top of lettuce
8. Plop a dollop of sour cream on top 
9. Squirt Sriracha over the bowl sparingly

HOW TO TRANSITION FROM A CRIB TO A BED

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    Last week we upgraded Riley's bed from a crib to a toddler bed. The transition has been exceptional! Riley stays in bed and has yet to fall off on to the floor. We have been reluctant to make the change because of having our new baby, but she has blown us away by staying in her bed until the morning. We had originally feared the worst; losing sleep to tuck her back in to bed and listening to her run around and scream if she wasn't tired enough. I think it is safe to say that Riley has squashed our qualms and has proven us wrong. Our little girl is growing up! 

     Here is what we are doing to make the transition go smoothly:

• We put Riley to bed when she is tired (bedtime is between 7 & 8pm). 
• We make sure she plays outside before going to bed to tire her out.
• We wash Riley before bed.
• We rolled a towel and placed it under the fitted sheet on the edge of the mattress so she doesn't roll out of bed.
• We have a camera monitor in her room aimed at her bed, so we can see what she is doing.
• We put a foam mat under her crib incase she rolls out on to the floor for a softer landing.
• We pray with Riley (praying calms her).
• We have put a gate at her bedroom door for safety precautions in case she wakes us and tries to leave her room.

     Riley currently calls for us just like she did when she was in the crib and stays in bed. We were ready to tuck her in if she climbed out multiple times, but that hasn't happened. Riley got out of bed one time during her nap time and played for about 20 minutes and then tucked herself back in to bed. We were watching her on the camera the entire time, anxiously waiting to see her next move. 

     We decided to wait to transition Riley in to a toddler bed until she showed signs of being too big for a crib. I think waiting until she was ready is why bed time in the toddler bed has been such a success. The first sign was Riley climbing out of her crib and falling on the floor a month ago. She climbed out of her crib just that once until last week when she attempted it again. We felt it was time. Riley's understanding of the world around her has greatly expanded, so we knew we could talk with her more reasonably if she were to get out of bed and try to run around. 

    We will keep you all updated as time passes. Please let me know if you have any questions. 

HOW I AM LOSING WEIGHT AFTER 9 MONTHS OF BEING PREGNANT

Top J Crew Factory | Bottoms Loft | Belt J Crew Factory | Scarf J Crew Factory | Shoes Gap | Bag Nordstrom

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     Recently, I have had many people ask me how I am losing my pregnancy weight so fast and my answer is... a simple one; by exercising 3-4 times a week and nursing. I wish I could tell you I have been eating really healthy, but that would be a lie. There is no quick way to lose weight and get skinny; It takes time and determination. The only thing that I have used to help make my stomach flatter, is the bamboo belly bandit. It has helped aid with the healing process, given me back support, helped me lose inches faster in my stomach, encouraged core utilization, and decreased bloating. I am perfectly content with waiting to be a size 6/8 again and letting my body go back down to size with healthier eating habits and exercise as well as nursing. There is no rush to get skinny, because I want to have lasting results. 

     I have definitely lost weight a lot faster after this second pregnancy, but I believe it is because of having to keep up with two kids. I run an average of 2 miles when I work out and do squats, lunges, and a few push-ups randomly. My husband and I just started doing intervals to help with our weight loss and I have noticed a major difference in my thigh size. Nursing has helped shed the baby weight as well, so I cannot take all of the credit. This is one of the many benefits to breastfeeding that I am thankful for. 

     My best advice is to not buy in to 'get thin quick' schemes. Losing weight takes time if you want to keep it off in the long run. Enjoy food, but make healthy choices when it matters. I tend to eat pretty well throughout the day. I snack on apples and avocados and dig in to my dessert after dinner. I would love to stay away from sweets if it were humanly possible, but I enjoy them too much and I am not willing to give them up. 

     If you have specific questions you would like to ask about my regiment, please feel free to ask. 

FLORALS, BRIGHTS, AND FIT & FLARE

Top J Crew Factory | Skirt J Crew Factory | Shoes J Crew Factory | Sunnies Loft

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MOTHER TUCKER NURSING TANK SAVES THE DAY

Top J Crew Factory | Bottoms Loft | Bag Nordstrom | Necklace RocksBox | Shoes Gap

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     Getting ready has been a lot more fun recently with my 'Mother Tucker' to hide my flab and folds. I may be 25, but I have some extra skin from having Matthew and that is A-okay. My Mother Tucker nursing tank is made by Belly Bandit and helps me to hide my current muffin top, holds my nursing breasts up, and supports my back. I love the soft material and am so thankful for an under garment that keeps everything together. I feel like I have my body back while I am wearing my Mother Tucker and my favorite part is being able to discreetly nurse Matthew in my not so nursing friendly get-ups. 

     If you are looking for a soft and cozy top to keep your body curvy and flat, I highly suggest buying this top. I also use it as my lingerie to keep my milk intact while being intimate with my husband and I couldn't be more grateful. Hurry over and get yours today!

     

SHIFT DRESS: PINK BLUSH

Dress Pink Blush | Sunnies Loft | Shoes J Crew Factory

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     Traveling this summer has been quite enjoyable and I have been able to check off a lot of items from my summer bucket list. Recently, my husband and I explored the Bull Run Winery in Virginia, where we did a wine tasting consisting of: six white wines, five reds, and three sweet wines. They were absolutely delicious! Our favorite wines are their Riesling, 2013 Merlot, and their Peach wine. The best part about their wine tasting is that you get to take home a complimentary wine glass with their logo. We ended up liking their Riesling so much that we bought a bottle to take home and drink on a special occasion. 

     In getting ready to head out to the Winery, I grabbed my easy breezy shift dress from Pink Blush. I wanted to wear something that felt effortless to keep me cool in the humidity. I was looking to make a bold statement; nothing too fancy, but nothing too casual either. This dress has the best of both worlds and here is why: the crochet neckline says "I'm comfy and laid back" while the blue color block says "watch out, I'm here and I'm fabulous."

     You can receive 20% off your first purchase at Pink Blush right NOW when you sign up with your email. 

FIT & FLARE SCALLOP DRESS

Dress Pink Blush | Sunnies LOFT | Shoes Jack Rogers

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     Our trip to Georgia was a success! The kids were really great on the drive down to Georgia and Riley only had two short melt downs when her iPad ran out of battery. I was honestly surprised as to how well the trip went. I thought that it was going to be worse. If anything, I feel like I was the whiney one on the trip. I was so focused on making sure the kids had what they needed for the trip that I completely neglected my own needs. I felt antsy and discontent. I didn't know what to do with myself. 

     After arriving in Georgia we were greeted with a hug of heat and a slobbery kiss from humidity. The weather was beautiful the first day we got there, but extremely hot. To kill some time before the rehearsal dinner, we decided to walk around the mall and stroll through the park. I wore this Pink Blush scallop dress during our exploration and felt like a southern bell. I kept imagining one of Nicholas Sparks' novels and his dewy evenings or warm sunny days where the main female character is looking fabulous. 

     The fit and flare shape of this dress makes me look like I have a small waistline and after having kids I surely appreciate this illusion; your body starts to look flabby and deformed. It is quite comical to see yourself in the mirror and not recognize your own body, so this dress is a fashion life saver. If you are looking for something cute and flirty, this is the perfect dress for you.