In the Pool with Beachfront Baby Wraps

One of the best things about living in California is the weather! It’s warm nearly year round and we can swim from March through October. Every summer, we spend a lot of time outside playing, barbecuing, and almost every family party is by the pool. Having all of our children comfortable in the water is important to us, Matt played water sports all through high school and worked as a lifeguard for years. He’s such a natural swimmer, I wish I was too! Ellie started swim lessons last summer, took a winter break, and started them again last month and I think she’ll be ready to swim without floaties this summer. Fingers crossed!

Swim Diaper // Hat // Wrap

Suit (from Target, it's not online, but I love this and this one!)

One Size Beachfront Baby Wrap in Passionberry
Suit (Victoria Secret- not online, similar here)// Sunnies

Both our babies love the water and with this Beachfront Baby Wrap, I can keep Emma close by and allow her to enjoy the water while remaining hands free to enjoy the pool myself or help with Eleanor. The first time I took her in the pool with me, she loved being in the water and fell asleep on me for two hours she was so relaxed! The wrap was easy to figure out how to use and it held her securely and comfortably for us both. I was afraid that when Emma was sleeping that if I got out of the pool she would be cold and wake up, but since the wrap is a polyester jersey mesh, it doesn’t hold water and dried really quickly, so I was able to get in and out of the water without waking her or being cold. It was awesome! It will also be great when our summer heat sets in and we head to the zoo, splash pad, or other outdoor activities since it’s lightweight and breathable.

Beachfront Baby Wraps sent me this product for review, but all opinions and experiences are my own.

Spring Wishlist

Some people love different seasons not because of the weather or holidays, but because of the fashion. My husband's favorite season is fall when it's nice and chilly (you know, like all of 4 days here in CA) because he loves to wear jeans and hoodies. Me? I'm all about spring. Always have been and always will be. I literally just want to add everything to my cart and check out.

Gloss - Signs of Spring // Top // Earrings // Purse // Sandals

Spring just gets me. It's my favorite season for clothes, parties, weather, and I love all of the colors it brings with it. It's exactly what I need after the winter slump of January and February. There's a few things coming up (like my birthday) so I've been trying to think of what I want and what I need. Matt has been asking me like every day so I thought I'd share what has caught my eye.

I love, love, love this off the shoulder top! It's so cute and could easily be dressed up or down. I also have this pom pom tank in my cart too. A girl always needs a nice pair of stud earrings and pink gloss. I haven't seen/heard of this MAC shade before and it's looks so gorgeous online! I'm dying to check it out. I have a blush tote that I've been using and I've become obsessed with this little saddle bag. It's so feminine and the color is perfection. I also like this baby blue one and I've been stalking this giant weekender bag at Target.

What's your favorite season? When do you find yourself shopping (or just online browsing, adding to cart and never checking out) the most?

Our Weekend Recap

This past weekend was so much fun! We were on the go, go, go and it was one thing after another, but such a great time. I really relish in the weekends where we don't have any plans (like this one coming up, unless I'm forgetting something) because they're so few and far between, but this past weekend was awesome.

Bow: Sweet Baby Paige // Dress

FINALLY, after months of teething, Emma's first tooth has broken skin! It's the teeniest, tiniest thing and you have to really look to see it, but it's there! Poor thing woke up several times during the night and had a runny nose all weekend. I've been waiting for a tooth to show since she's been teething for so long, but I'm so sad that it's here now. I'm going to miss that gummy, toothless smile. It's so cute!

It started out with me taking Friday off to meet my sorority big sis and grand big sis at Disneyland to celebrate our little ones' third birthdays. We've been talking about doing this forever and have been planning it for months! My big sis lives up north so it was wonderful seeing her and meeting her little girl! Going to Disneyland with kids is the best! They're so excited and love seeing all the characters. Ellie's favorite ride was the train Casey Jr. and It's a Small World. She even liked Pirates of the Caribbean, but only once the singing started. Before that she had me cover her eyes! It was so cute!

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early and made ourselves some blueberry pancakes (which Emma also loved!) and then headed to swim lessons. Ellie is doing so well and loves being in the water. We still use a puddle jumper for her in the pool, but I'm hoping she'll be done with it completely this summer. I love this bright swimsuit we got her for this year, the colors are adorable on her and the cross back is super cute.

After class, we did some shopping and picked up these Nikes for Ellie. Nordstrom Rack had so many cute color combos, and these are the ones she picked. She's shoe obsessed and wanted to try on all the sandals or anything sparkly. Her favorite color lately is pink so she was excited to get these and wanted to wear them as soon as we got home.

I tried on a few tops while shopping, but nothing was a keeper. The shirts were either too short, too low, or too sheer, Matt and I are going on a little getaway for our anniversary and I was hoping to find something to take with me to wear, but it was a crapshoot. I hate when you're looking for something, there's nothing! I did find my favorite shadow primer (for $10!) so that's a win!

After shopping, lunch, and a nap, we headed out for a baby shower and then back home for dinner with Daddy. Sunday morning, I met up with some of my sorority sisters for brunch. I love getting together with everyone and at every event there's always a recipe to be shared. This time, it was a tater tot casserole that was so good! I even brought some home for Matt to try. Joining a sorority was one of the best decisions I ever made, I'm so thankful for the friendships I've made.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you have a great weekend!!

Gladiator Sandals Under $75

One trend I'm still not over is gladiator sandals, I just love all the straps! I think they scream summer and help give a casual outfit a bit of edge and help dress it up. I love that they work with shorts, dresses, and even pants for cool nights. I found a ton of great options at good prices, but the best is that there's so many variations. Some fit lower on the ankler, have ties, back zippers, and different designs.

One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six

I just ordered the last pair today and I can't wait for them to get in! I love that they lace up, but zip in the back for easy access. I'm also eyeballing number 5 too, the laser cut design is gorgeous!

Friday Faves

Happy freaking Friday everyone!! I felt like it couldn't come fast enough. I don't have any crazy plans this weekend, I have to work a few hours tomorrow and then we're heading to a family birthday party for my niece. Then Sunday is NOTHING. Nothing. I can't wait! We're just going to head to church and do stuff around the house. Most importantly will be napping. Lots of napping... Who am I kidding? The only one in this house that naps is Emma, and if Ellie even thinks that I'm napping she likes to come over and pat my face, shower me with kisses, and sing me songs. All of which is very, very sweet, but does nothing to help or keep me asleep.

For today's post, I wanted to share with you guys some of my recent faves. There's some amazing shops, lipsticks, and beauty finds I've found and need to share. I've been posting about this stuff on my Instagram, but haven't had a chance yet to share it here. So this will be kind of a round up of some super awesome stuff that you should check out. Just some items I want to shout from the rooftops to anyone who will listen.

First up is this beautiful jewelry and if you follow me on Instagram, you'll already know that I've been living in this Mia and Mac necklace and earrings. This year will be our fifth wedding anniversary, and I wanted something special with our wedding date and this vertical bar and circle charm is perfection! It's so simple, chic, and feminine, I have literally worn them every single day for weeks now. The gold bar earrings are also on repeat. Enjoy 20% off your order with "Kristen20" at check out too! I also love these infinity earrings and necklace and these heart earrings are adorbs!

Ever since Emma started teething, she has started drooling non-stop. It’s crazy! She has 0 teeth, but I feel like she’s been teething for months! Ollie and Olina sent me these gorgeous bibs and I absolutely love them! My first thought when they were delivered was how well made they were, they’re great quality! They’re nice and thick, really soft, with a terry cloth backing, and I just love the sweet designs and prints. The bibs also have two snaps to grow with your child so you can use them for longer. She also makes matching quilts and burp cloths that are to die for! They would make the sweetest gift for any expectant mommy, just beautiful and special pieces that would last a lifetime.

L-R: Showy // Long Legged & Fabulous // Tokyo // Silly

Now that spring is here, I’m all about the pink lipsticks. Ha ha ha I’m joking, I always love pink lips! Thanks to late night feedings and Target, I’m now the proud owner of four new lipsticks. You know, because you can never have enough. Silly and Long Legged & Fabulous are both from the MAC Flamingo collection, Silly is a fabulous matte shade while Long Legged and Fabulous is the perfect pale Barbie pink. Revlon’s Balm sticks are seriously the best! They are super creamy and smell amazing! They’re really moisturizing and this color in Showy is so fun. Then, as if I needed another pink, I also went and bought NYX Matte Lip Cream in Tokyo. I love NYX makeup, it is really a great quality and Target just expanded the line at their stores which makes is much easier to shop!

You guys, you need to RUN and buy yourself this Real Techniques Blending Sponge! Run! It is so amazing and I swear my makeup looks flawless now. It’s so soft and squishy and blends your foundation and concealer beautifully. I run it under water and give it a good squeeze 2-3 times and then use it to blend my makeup in and I seriously love it. I don't think there's another sponge that could possibly be better. The shape offers different sides and shapes that really help to blend perfectly in tough spots.

Those are my gems guys! These four things have been used and worn daily in the Lawler household and because I'm a loud mouth, I just couldn't help but share them with you guys. Thanks for stopping by, hope you have a wonderful weekend!! What are some of your recent faves? Have you found anything that you just couldn't live without?

Recent OOTDs

Good morning! Hope you're all having a great week so far. Lately, my days have been short but the weeks have seemed long. Does that ever happen to you?

I've been trying to take some more pics of my weekend outfits. During the week, the lighting isn't good and I don't really wear anything great or that I haven't worn a hundred times before. My work uniform is pretty much a nice top, black skinny slacks, and flats. Oh and a blazer. Nothing exciting. Before transferring when we moved, I was in a different department and had a casual dress code. It's crazy how much I miss it! I loved wearing jeans, sandals, and whatever top I wanted. I didn't have to see clients face to face so it makes sense why we had a casual dress code, but man I miss being able to wear whatever I want and getting more use out of my closet!

Top // Shorts // Necklace // Polish I saw this top on the shop's Instagram and bought it immediately during a late night nursing session (those get me every time!). I've bought a few accessories from Mindy Mae's Market through Jane, but not any clothes. This shirt is so well made and thick with some stretch. I was surprised by how high quality it is. I absolutely love it and want to wear it every day. I wore it for Easter with a bright pink lip and then another day with a coral red lip. It's just a great top that's easy to wear and pair with fun shades of accessories and makeup. I've talked about this necklace a ton on Instagram, I seriously wear it nearly every day and had our wedding date engraved on it with an L for our last name. You can get 20% off your purchase from Mia and Mac using Kristen20 at check out! 

Cardi // Top // Shorts

A few weeks ago, I took the girls to meet my sister for lunch, shopping, and dessert down in San Diego. We had so much fun eating pizza and shopping. I love hanging out with my sister and we've been so busy that we've mostly only seen each other at family parties so we haven't had the chance to talk as much together (even though we talk on the phone almost daily). The girls love their auntie and they had a great time together goofing off. After shopping we went back to BJs for the pizookie sampler- one of our faves!

Top // Jeans // Sandals // Sunnies // Necklace

I wore this a few weekends ago to run some errands and get some ice cream with the family. The girls ended up falling asleep in the car so Matt and I got ice cream to ourselves! Yum! This is the same top as above, but in black. It's only $9 at Old Navy so get yourself one! It's a thin cotton that will be perfect for the summer heat. I do wish it was a little longer though. 

Thanks for stopping by! Have a happy hump day!

Think Happy, Be Happy Link Party

"Happiness is letting go of what you think your life is supposed to look like and celebrating it for everything that it is." -Mandy Hale

 I'm back this week with some awesome women to start off Monday on a positive note with the Think Happy, Be Happy Link Party. This link party was created as a way to create some inspiration and happiness as we begin our week. It can be hard to find the happiness in our day to day, and I believe it truly does help to take a second to find the positive. Please take a second to visit all of my wonderful co-hosts who will be sharing this link party as well!

• Kristen of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
• Kristen of Blissfully Insane
• Autumn of Our Blended Home
• Corianne of iCorianne
• Jessica of Kozy and Co
• Liz of Lizz And Co

Recently, one of my co-workers asked me if I enjoyed being married. It totally threw me for a second because it wasn't a question I expected. She is a single mother and has been divorced for a few years and talked to me about her feelings about her marriage and her thoughts about the possibility of being married again, which prompted her to start the conversation with her question. I looked at her and couldn't help but be honest.

I love being married.

There is no doubt in my mind that Matt is the perfect partner for me and there's not a single soul on Earth I would ever want to spend my life with. He is an amazing friend, husband, and father. He does so much for our family, our kids, and for me. I don't want to turn this into a big mushy love fest for my husband, but her question really stuck with me for a long time. Our relationship isn't perfect and wouldn't work for other couples, but I couldn't help but feel so grateful for him. There are so many things I take for granted because that's our normal. I went home that day and hugged Matt for a bit longer and told him how thankful I am that he's mine forever.

When I talk to newly engaged couples, the first thing that comes from my mouth is typically "you're gonna love being married, it's so fun". It makes me sad that it isn't true for everyone, but I honestly wish everyone the best in their marriages and hope that they find their true loves. Even though her question was unexpected, I'm glad that she asked so I could think about the little everyday things I'm grateful for.

Have something positive and happy you want to share? Please link up and share with us!

   

 Rules of the Party: 
 Leave a link to your actual post and not your homepage. A link back to your host, is greatly appreciated. Feel free to grab our link party button to add to your post. 
Please link up only your happiness related posts. Don’t link up and run, please visit other bloggers. Make new friends or say hello to old friends. 
Please follow your hosts and guest hosts in some way. 
Have fun with your posts! I truly hope it helps with starting your week off on a positive note!