4.30.2015

25 Things you (Probably) Didn't Know About Me

I've been tagged by quite a few lovely ladies on instagram for 20 facts about myself challenge and even a 5 facts challenge too if I remember right... So I just decided to combine them all here for "25 Things About Me You (Probably) Didn't Know"! Hopefully I don't bore you too much haha... Enjoy!

I'm a sucker for anything watercolor and I love hand lettering, especially watercolor hand lettering.
 
I'd really love to learn to paint and I'd also love to learn to hand letter.
 
I love growing house plants... lots of houseplants.
 
I literally just can't walk in high heels... last time I wore high heels I not only greatly regretted  it (yeah it was Easter Sunday and we had to sit in the balcony at church lol) but someone likened me unto a giraffe haha (side note: I'm taller than average). Lol.
 
I love doing yoga. I will admit that while doing (and trying) some poses though I might question my sanity just a little, but there's nothing like that feeling after  a great yoga session! It feels so invigorating and I feel like I could climb a mountain!
 
I love being outdoors! Anytime the weather is nice we love being outside and love grilling out at the park (grilled mushrooms are my absolute favorite)!
 
I will forever be an Owl City fan, and if the day ever comes that he decides to stop making music I'll probably (well, no probably about it) bawl my eyes out.
 
I've never been out of the United States.
 
I would love to someday visit Hawaii, the Bahamas or Caribbean, Paris, Italy or Ireland.
 
I love to cook... And I love to eat. They say nothing tastes better than skinny... but I've tasted some pretty good food in my day... so yeah, it's kind of an everyday battle. I'm just thankful I don't work in a bakery. Bahaha.
 
I have no piercings or tattoos.
 
I am an essential oil fanatic and I have actually been using them most of my life! I also just started selling Young Living EOs.
 
Sometimes when I am in a moment I'll see it a certain way and snap a photo and it'll turn out just as I imagined. Most of the time it seems to be a black and white moment when a candid moment presents itself to me... but not always. ☺
 
I'd love to be a mermaid for a day... or two.
 
I love lots of bright and vivid colors! And lots of white! I'm excited to start decorating our new apartment (home) with lots of both!
 
I'm obsessed with "naked" cakes and want to try making one soon... Maybe a coconut cake topped with edible flowers? Hmm, We shall see, we shall see.

I LOVE coconut!
 
Having a daughter has turned me into a complete Disney fanatic. Lol. I actually dream of the day we vacation at Disneyland. And I was never into Disney before becoming a mom. Haha.
 
I really want to eventually run a 5k Color Run.
 
I sometimes talk too much and I say "I know" and "awesome" way too much. I also have been told (pretty much my entire life) that I talk too fast.
 
I get nervous whenever I host play-dates, I strive to be the perfect hostess and I always get anxious that whatever sweets I bake for the play-date won't turn out right or that our guests won't enjoy themselves... or that I'll talk too much. Lol.
 
I used to be a big water drinker before I got pregnant with Bella, but during my pregnancy and since she's been born I pretty much have to force myself to drink water. I just don't care for it.
 
Chia Seeds are everything! And I put them in (almost) everything. Lol.
 
●  I can hardly ever really walk slow, I'm always kind of, I don't know how to say, trotting maybe? lol. I'm typically just a very fast walker.
 
I love a good cup of coffee... even better if its iced coffee.

 

4.23.2015

Front & Center: Bought Beautifully Feature + A Big Giveaway!

Recently I discovered a marketplace that spoke volumes to my heart, and after they reached out to me, I am excited and honored to be featuring... Bought Beautifully!
 
What and who is Bought Beautifully?
 
Bought Beautifully is a Christian Marketplace and an online presence of the non-profit organization Consumers in Christ, created in October of 2014. Rebekah and Emily, The creators of Bought Beautifully, wanted their lifestyle to honor God even through the purchases they made and they felt God calling them to open a sort of hands and feet of Christ operation, an online marketplace that they would be supporting our sisters and brothers in Christ all around the globe.
 
 
But what does that mean exactly? It means that by supporting Bought Beautifully our purchases go deeper.
 
Rebekah and Emily said "We realized that if we paid attention, were strategic and purposeful with our purchases, we could use our finances and everyday choices to have a positive IMPACT on the world for HIM!! We soon realized that our everyday choices could be holy and beautiful, glorifying to God and play a role in furthering his kingdom".
 
 
How amazing is that? Our purchases can have a much bigger impact on the world than we ever imagined before!
 
Supporting women and men (which also supports their children) in third world countries to end slavery, child labor and exploitation all the while teaching them about Jesus! Giving these wonderful people a better life!
 
The vendors? With Bought Beautifully you know you are supporting goof things... Bought Beautifully knows their supply chain and makes sure that all vendors pay fair wages, practice wise stewardship and as a priority keep working conditions safe!
 
 
 
 
Bought Beautifully sells jewelry, accessories, art, clothing, home decor, beauty products, baby things, and so many other things!
 
 
And what's more exciting, Bought Beautifully has also sent me a couple of things to send to one of you lovely friends!
 
I have teamed up with Bought Beautifully to giveaway a beautiful baby crib mobile from 2nd Story Goods AND a pair of baby shoes from Sole Hope! Just look at the pictures to see how BEAUTIFUL these pieces are!



Entering is easy! Just follow the steps in the rafflecopter below for your chance to win!
 
The giveaway will run from Thursday, April 23rd to Thursday, April 30th at midnight EST. A random winner will be chosen via rafflecopter and announced on the rafflecopter widget here on the blog. (US Residents Only Please). Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

4.22.2015

Hump Day Highlights Link Up #7 - Earth Day Edition

Happy Hump Day and Happy Earth Day!
I am so excited to announce that I have teamed up with an amazing group of bloggers to bring you another installment of "Hump Day Highlights", and today is the Earth Day Edition!
Each Wednesday we will list some things from the past week that we are loving, can't live without, are on our wish-lists, or are things we are just plain obsessed with - and we will even add links (when applicable) so you can check out or scoop up anything you love, too.


Your weekly hosts are MistyApril, ShannonAmandaDanicaand Kaitlyn. We would love for you to add your post to our link up of the things you are loving this week, too. And please spread the love by following the other blogs in the link up/commenting on their posts. This is such a great way to meet like-minded ladies and make new friends, all while showing off your blog, too.

The Hump Day Highlights weekly link up is going to be a blast, I hope you link up and follow along!
 ___
So here we go... My green, earth friendly and outdoorsy favorites/highlights/wish-lists/obsessions for this Earth Day week!

  
[FRESH MINT]
What's not to love about fresh mint. I'm rather obsessed at the moment actually. I want to put fresh mint in ALL THE THINGS.


[ROXY GIRL'S LOGO RASHGUARD SWIMSUIT SET]
Seriously, this is just too cute for words! With the weather getting warmer and summer approaching Bella is going to be needing a swimsuit and this might just be the perfect fit! With her super fair and sensitive skin it would be nice to have the extra coverage, plus the print is just so adorable! Yes, I'm kind of a big ROXY fan. The only thing that might stop us from purchasing is the $46 price tag. 

This flower has several names if goes by, Big leaf Periwinkle being one of them; it is also called Large Periwinkle, Greater Periwinkle, Blue Periwinkle and Vinca Major. I first seen it this past week when we walked the trail at our favorite local park and just had to stop and snap a photo! Such a delicate little beauty! It took a little googling to find out what it was called and apparently it is actually considered an invasive species by some but its so pretty I'd be perfectly okay with it growing pretty much about anywhere. :)

[PITTMOSS]
What is PittMoss? PittMoss is an "green" option to peat moss! They were actually on Shark Tank on April 17th, and definitely piqued the interest of both my husband and myself. Peat moss is harvested in Canadian, and peat-lands around the world make up only 3% of the Earth’s land surface, but they still make up 30-33% of all soil carbons. So when peat is dug up, carbon is released, which therefore increases climate change. Mont Handley (of Pittsburgh) decided to create an earth friendly alternative! PittMoss is made out of recycled paper, which is another great thing and which also decreases the need to expand landfills, since paper takes up the most space in them. And its actually supposed to retain water better than peat moss which is another plus, since that means it cuts down on water usage. Too bad its only available commercially at the moment. Definitely a product I'd be interested in trying!

[OUR GREEN LAUNDRY ROUTINE]
Our laundry routine line up... Clean without the chemicals! Our favorite environmentally friendly Boulder Clean laundry detergent and [we've eliminated those toxic dryer sheets by using] felt wool dryer balls with a drop of a few of our favorite Young Living Essential Oils! [NOTE: Want to win some Boulder Clean Laundry Detergent? I'm giving some away on my instagram! Find this image to enter!].


[TRIPS TO THE PARK]
We're obsessed! We love going to the park as much as possible and every chance we get! And grilling out at the park is our favorite, plus the trail is so much fun to walk and then there's those amazing swings!

Now go buy some flowers, hug a tree, take a trip to the park or try an earth friendly product!
Happy Earth Day!
___
    

Grab our graphic (above), link back to one, some, or all of us, and add your link below!


4.16.2015

Front & Center: Neat Cheeks Feature + A Big Announcement!

 
Soooo..... Neat Cheeks! Everyone's talking about them these days (or at least everyone will be after Friday evening) and they're all the rage in our home!

 
A few months ago we were in the same boat as every other toddler's parents. I mean, cleanup just wasn't happening, or at least wasn't happening without protest. Breakfast clean up, lunch clean up, dinner clean up, along with various snack clean ups during the day, it was just one BIG STUGGLE!
 
If you've ever had a toddler then you definitely know what I'm talking about. I mean, kicking, screaming, whining, sputtering, crying, pushing away... simply put, kids just don't like to get their face wiped! But can you actually blame them?
 
Baby wipes seem to be the most convenient "face wipes" but have you ever tried those things out on your own face? I didn't think so. Well I have. I tried them in place of makeup remover wipes, and you know what? I can understand where my little munchkin is coming from when she throws a fit at having her face wiped with a diaper wipe.
 
Those things are rough! Especially for sensitive skin! And lets face it, a wet washcloth really isn't much better than those unfriendly diaper wipes!
 
So yeah, something had to change... clean up was a struggle, they were too rough for me to even use on my own face... so what did I do?
 
Well, my friend Brianne kept telling me about these nifty little face wipes she'd found... A company started by two moms (Danielle and Julia) in Colorado just like us who were fed up with the other "options" and decided to do something about it!
 
A company called "Neat Cheeks"!
 
So on a whim I decided to order a few packages and... PRESTO!
 
No more griping, no more whining, no more struggling! Seriously, all that just went away for us in the literally snap of a finger!

My daughter actually LOVES GETTING HER FACE WIPED!




Say Whaaaa! YES! All because of these nifty little Neat Cheeks face wipes!

Flavored face wipes at that!
 
Flavored with Stevia (a natural plant extract) these wipes actually moisturize your little ones (or your own) skin and they can taste the sweetness in them so they get excited about having their face wiped... and they leave no sticky residue whatsoever!
 
These face wipes host an impressive line up of natural ingredients (aloe, stevia, purified water and honeysuckle... just to name a few) and are super duper soft, I mean don't we all like all natural things and who doesn't like super soft things?! They are Pediatrician and Dermatologist tested and they are all natural, non-irritating and hypoallergenic too!

Where can we buy these amazing face wipes? They are available online at the Neat Cheeks website and also at select Walgreens in Colorado as well as some specialty shops across the US...

But I can only imagine that these will be on the shelves more places pretty soon. These are just a great product that needs to be shared with the entire world!

I am excited to tell you that...

Neat Cheeks have landed on Shark Tank!

Woo-hoo!

Friday Apr 17th (tomorrow!!!) at 9 pm EST is THE BIG DAY!

Does Neat Cheeks have what it takes to make a shark smile? We think so. Will the Sharks take the bait? I'm pulling for them to make a deal with Lori (since she's me favorite lol) and I can't wait to see them (hopefully) make a deal! Because EVERYONE needs to know about Neat Cheeks!

Will you be watching? We will! So wipe on a smile, a sharky smile, and let's tune in together!
 


4.15.2015

Hump Day Highlights Link Up #6

Happy Hump Day!
I am so excited to announce that I have teamed up with an amazing group of bloggers to bring you another installment of "Hump Day Highlights".
Each Wednesday we will list some things from the past week that we are loving, can't live without, are on our wish-lists, or are things we are just plain obsessed with - and we will even add links (when applicable) so you can check out or scoop up anything you love, too.


Your weekly hosts are MistyApril, ShannonAmandaDanicaand Kaitlyn. We would love for you to add your post to our link up of the things you are loving this week, too. And please spread the love by following the other blogs in the link up/commenting on their posts. This is such a great way to meet like-minded ladies and make new friends, all while showing off your blog, too.

The Hump Day Highlights weekly link up is going to be a blast, I hope you link up and follow along!
 ___
So here we go, my favorites/highlights/wish-lists/obsessions for this week!

  
[NAKED CAKES]
Yeah, yeah, I know these are all the trend right now but seriously... these are my favorite. They're so simple yet so sophisticated, classy AND modern! I definitely plan on trying to make one (or more) of these in the very near future!  

[BOLTHOUSE FARMS GREEN GOODNESS]
So much yum. I found it almost $2 cheaper at Aldi than anywhere else and decided to try it... it did not disappoint!

These are definitely "up there" on my favorites list now. I love that they're "green-er "products and some of them are actually non toxic, something great since I have a toddler and (even though I keep the cleaning supplies up out of her reach) I always worry about her somehow getting into them. They clean great! Plus they smell heavenly! The Power Foam Dish Soap in Pink Grapefruit is my favorite, but I love all of the ones I've tried! So much nicer to use cleaning products that actually smell good and fresh and don't make me feel like I'm going to pass out from the chemical fumes!

[AMBER TEETHING NECKLACE]
This necklace has been a lifesaver! It's helped so much when Bella had terrible teething pain and it significantly cuts down on drool! We got our first one from Smile Sunshine Designs on Etsy a little over a year ago, and then when we lost our first one we purchased once again from Smile Sunshine Designs and we live the new one just as much as our first! Caution should be used when wearing teething necklaces though, always make sure you take them off when your child is sleeping or playing unattended. :)  
[EDY'S CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM]
One word... heavenly. Hands down my all time favorite chocolate ice cream.
  
 ___


Grab our graphic (above), link back to one, some, or all of us, and add your link below!

4.08.2015

Hump Day Highlights Link Up #5

Happy Hump Day!
I am so excited to announce that I have teamed up with an amazing group of bloggers to bring you another installment of "Hump Day Highlights".

Each Wednesday we will list some things from the past week that we are loving, can't live without, are on our wish-lists, or are things we are just plain obsessed with - and we will even add links (when applicable) so you can check out or scoop up anything you love, too.


Your weekly hosts are MistyApril, ShannonAmandaDanicaand Kaitlyn. We would love for you to add your post to our link up of the things you are loving this week, too. And please spread the love by following the other blogs in the link up/commenting on their posts. This is such a great way to meet like-minded ladies and make new friends, all while showing off your blog, too.

The Hump Day Highlights weekly link up is going to be a blast, I hope you link up and follow along!
 ___
    
So here we go, my favorites/highlights/wish-lists/obsessions for this week!

  
[MY BIRTHDAY]
April 5th was Easter AND my birthday... Another year further into my twenties and it was a good day! Woke up and my hubby gave me my card (he makes me tear up *in a good way* every year with the sweetest things he writes to me, best hubby ever) and gifts, then he and I waited for Bella to wake up and gave her her Easter basket! So cute to see her reaction to all her new stuff, she was such a happy camper. From there we got ready and went to church and not only was it was awesome (well, it's always awesome), but Bella was so good!  After church we took Easter photos at the park and went home for Bella's naptime. Afterwards my hubby took us out to dinner (he didn't want me to have to cook on my birthday, ain't he a darling!? Also I *unintentionally* forgot to take the ham out of the freezer the night before). The rest of the evening was pretty much spent laying around and relaxing and was such a nice ending to a great birthday! Thank you everyone who wished me Happy Birthday!
[BOON GRASS DRYING RACK]
 This would happen to be one of our MOST USED products! It's the cutest little drying rack ever invented and we use it constantly (no joke, 24/7), it's great for bottles, sippy cups, straws, snack cups, even regular small dishes! This is definitely one of the best "baby/toddler" related purchases we've ever made!

[DUCK TAPE]
Now this is an interesting one huh?! But seriously, if you're in the packing business (or just moving this coming weekend like we are), then duck tape is pretty much your best friend. Lol.

[TANGLED]
Now maybe I'm just a leeeetle late jumping on the Tangled bandwagon over here but (in my defense) this past week is the first time we've ever seen it! Seriously, a movie that can get my 16 month old to sit completely still for half an hour is a win! She's enthralled by Rapunzel, but let's be honest, so am I, even if I am a twenty something grown woman. Lol.

[LIVE SWEET PHOTOGRAPHY - INSTAGRAM]
So let me just come right out and say it... I am completely obsessed with this sweet lady's instagram, her name is Lindsey and she is mama to the most adorable little girl and boy, a photographer, owner and operator of Live Sweet Shop (she makes the cutest stuffed animals)... Oh, and did I mention pearl? Pearl the pig? I used to think pigs were gross and dirty but I am wholeheartedly now on the pig lovers board of trustees! I die from the cuteness every time I see a new picture or video of pearl and I kind of want (well, more like really want) a little piglet now. Lol.
 ___


Grab our graphic (above), link back to one, some, or all of us, and add your link below!

4.02.2015

Nuby Review: Clik-It Insulated Flex Straw Cup


 
First off, I am so thrilled to announce that I am now part of the Nuby Parent Blogger Program! I (along with some other really great bloggers in the program) will be bringing you the "deets" on all things Nuby!
 
 
And today I am reviewing the Nuby Clik-It Insulated Flex Straw Cup!


Seriously, We LOVE everything about the Clik-It Insulated Flex Straw Cup!
 
It's a fun design, cute graphics and it truly is like a real straw!
 
The Clik-It Insulated Flex Straw Cup holds 9 oz of liquid and with all the "rigorous" testing I've done to see if it was truly a no spill cup I've come to the conclusion that it really is no spill! I've turned it upside down, left it tipped over for hours on the countertop and my daughter might have even thrown it a few times. Lol.
 
The insulated base helps keep drinks cooler and fresher for much longer than normal sippy cups (which I know will be great during the warmer months of summer) and helps protect furniture from "sweating" that some regular sippy cups have problems with.

 
I love that the soft silicone straw runs down to the base of the cup encouraging my daughter to learn to hold her cup upright while drinking (if she tips it up like a bottle she can't get any drink from it) which is something I've been working with her on lately.
 
The "Touch-Flo" technology activates as soon as your child puts the spout in their mouth to drink and with leak proof technology that you can not only see, but hear as well, I LOVE that I know the lid is locked into place when I hear the "click", giving me complete peace of mind when it comes to spills!
 
The Nuby Clik-it Insulated Flex Straw Cup is dishwasher safe (top rack only though), BPA free, Phthalate free, Nitrosamine free, Latex free, PVC Free AND endorsed by pediatric dentist Dr. Grace Yum, the Clik-It Insulated Flex Straw Cup is the way to go! Especially is your child prefers straw cups over regular sippy cups like mine does!
 

My daughter has taken to this cup better than any sippy cup we've ever tried and we especially love putting our Honest Kids Organic Juice and Lemonade in our Clik-It Insulated Flex Straw Cup and water sometimes too!
 
Want one for your child? Clik-It Insulated Flex Straw Cups are available at Target for less than $5 and come in a variety of adorable prints! Owls, flowers, whales, rocket ships and jungle animals, just to name a few!
 


 

4.01.2015

Hump Day Highlights Link Up #4

Happy Hump Day!
I am so excited to announce that I have teamed up with an amazing group of bloggers to bring you another installment of "Hump Day Highlights".

Each Wednesday we will list some things from the past week that we are loving, can't live without, are on our wish-lists, or are things we are just plain obsessed with - and we will even add links (when applicable) so you can check out or scoop up anything you love, too.


Your weekly hosts are MistyApril, ShannonAmandaDanicaand Kaitlyn. We would love for you to add your post to our link up of the things you are loving this week, too. And please spread the love by following the other blogs in the link up/commenting on their posts. This is such a great way to meet like-minded ladies and make new friends, all while showing off your blog, too.

The Hump Day Highlights weekly link up is going to be a blast, I hope you link up and follow along!
 ___
    
So here we go, my favorites/highlights/wish-lists/obsessions for this week!

  
[RE-PLAY RECYCLED]
 We love our Re-Play Recycled dishes and utensils! They make mealtime so much fun and they're sturdy, functional and affordable! Plus they're a very earth conscious company, using only recycled materials (even the boxes they're sold in are made from recycled materials)! Check out a review (found here) from when I recently featured them on the blog!
[THE MONTH OF APRIL]
 Cause it's "ma birfday mumf" and "ma birfday" (lol) is on Easter this year! Plus it's just a great month all around, I mean we do share a name and all. Flowers starting to bloom, springtime (aka warmer weather) hopefully coming to stay this month, moving to our new apartment on the 12th! April promises to be a good/busy month!

 These ROXY "Brody III" shoes were my most favorite shoes last year and I literally wore them everywhere! No uncomfortable "breaking in" time, they were super comfy right from the get go, I might have worn them every single day and I might have actually worn holes in them from wearing them so much. Needless to say, they didn't make the cut to wear this year (you know holes and all lol), but I'm hoping for another pair of Roxy shoes to wear out again this year. Lol. ;)

[BABY TREND "VANGUARD" JOGGING STROLLER]
We are LOVING this stroller! It seriously rides like a dream! Bumps on the sidewalk? What bumps? It glides so smoothly and it super comfortable for Bella, the handle bars are at a great level for me since I'm taller and I also love the wrist strap feature (for if I tripped and lost hold of the stroller while I was jogging so that the stroller with my daughter wouldn't go rolling on its own)! The cup-holders are great and I especially love the little compartment between the parent cup-holders for keys/phone/etc.! And one of our favorite features is that the canopy can move completely forward to shield our daughter's sensitive eyes from the sun if need be! The stroller holds up to 50 pounds which from what I've read is about a 6 year old or so child. This particular stroller sells for $115 on amazon and if you have amazon prime (or sign up for the 30 day free trial like we did) you get FREE 2 day shipping on this stroller! Yay! We'd buy this stroller again in a heartbeat!

[TALENTI "HAZELNUT CHOCOLATE CHIP" GELATO]
This new Talenti flavor is one of my new favorites! If you hear angels singing the hallelujah chorus when you take a bite of this, no, it's not your imagination. Lol. Creamy vanilla gelato with crunchy hazelnut pieces and chocolate chip bits... Gluten free, vegetarian... This gelato is so decadent and so much yum!
 ___


Grab our graphic (above), link back to one, some, or all of us, and add your link below!