Our Favorite Toys

With Christmas just around the corner and Black Friday just a few days away, I thought today would be the perfect time to post Ellie's favorite toys over these past (almost) 18 months. I've included toys that had the most use and would make great gifts for any littles you're buying for. Some ages are harder to buy for than others and I thought I'd give my take on what has been played with the most. Some of these gifts were bought for us and I'm so happy we were gifted them because they have been so much fun!

Learning Sit to Stand Walker  // Glow Worm Lullaby Doll //  Mega Bloks Building Bag //Block Sorter

Books // My Pal Violet // Ring Stacker (the old school plastic one is great too!)    

Soft Blocks // Play Tent 

What toys does your family/littles enjoy the most? Please share!

Recent Purchases: Mama + Me

Lately, I've been picking up a few items here and there so I compiled a post of everything over the last few weeks.I love to see what everyone is buying, what new products are out, and what deals they've found. Luckily, I've found some great deals and sales, especially with the holidays coming up. Around this time of year, I try to wait to buy things until Black Friday so I can get the best deal, but there's been a few items I've just had to have or I took advantage of pre-Black Friday deals.

On a side note, what the heck is up with the stores opening so early this year? Shopping at 6 is like regular shopping, not Black Friday shopping. They're taking the fun out of it! I think I'll just go shopping at my regular time and not care about standing in line or getting into a store first. Plus, I don't have anything specific or big to purchase.

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Polish

After seeing a ton of reviews I had to snag this for myself! I love Sally Hansen and will be doing a full review soon.

Milani Blush in Luminoso

Another winning recommendation from Meg. It was hard to find this shade- it was sold out everywhere. I really love the color, it’s a gorgeous neutral and I want to pick up a darker color for the fall season.

Big Sexy Hair Powder Play

I saw this a while ago on someone's IG account and when I saw that Ulta had some as stocking stuffers for $3 I scooped one up to test out. So far, I really like it! Especially when I wear my hair straight and I'm on day 2-3 hair and need some extra lift.

Black Knit Beanie

Remember the gray beanie I posted about on a previous post? Well, it finally cooled down enough to wear it a few days and I can’t freaking find it anywhere. It’s been abducted by aliens. So I picked it up in black until the martians decide to return it to its owner.

Plaid Blanket Scarf

When do I ever turn down a scarf? Never! Grabbed this one from Target asap when I saw that it was 50% off!

Cable Knit Infinity Scarf

Again, if it’s a scarf I must own it. I love this thick knit and the wine color is beautiful. I can’t wait to re-create this look from pinterest I pinned a million years ago with it. (LINK TO PIN)

Buffalo Shirt

Remember this gem from my Mama + Me post? I had to snag it, even if it was full price. I plan on being twinsies with Ellie for Thanksgiving this week.

Boot Socks (in store)

Here are some things I've bought for Ellie:

Merry & Bright PJs

I saw these online, but they didn’t have them yet in store at Carters, but I found them at Kohls! Add to cart. I wish they have feet attached at the bottom though, I prefer for Ellie's pajamas to keep her feet covered in the winter time. I'll just dress her in socks.

Fur Vest

As soon as I showed this to Ellie she hugged it and I knew it was a winner. Now if I could only find one for me!

Gold Metallic Skirt

This is the perfect skirt for the holidays! It’s so pretty and I love the material. I can't wait for her to rock this little pretty to the parties.

Polka Dot Tights

How cute will these tights be with the above skirt? Love the fun polka dots!

Northern Isle Pjs

I love winter jammies that Ellie can wear all season (not just for Christmas) and this fun bright print was perfect! I want to buy her a larger size for next year I love it so much.

Denim Skirt

I love the look of fun printed tights/leggings with skirts/dresses for layering on little girls. This skirt is so cute on her, she wore it for our family pictures a few weeks ago. 

Silver Flats // Fox Flats

These shoes are so adorable!! I love the silver flats (they run big) and want to get her the same pair in gold now. I couldn't help myself with the fox flats, they are just too cute.

Flannel Shirt

Although this is from the girl's section, it totally looks like a boy's shirt. Until I dress my little Ellie Bell up with a giant bow and fur vest (or puffer vest)! Can't wait to see how cute she looks in this top.

Hope you all have a fabulous short week!

Mama + Me: Chambray and Camo

Today's post is another easy outfit to wear for you and your littles. It's inspired by an outfit Ellie wore this week, actually. We have all of her outfit picks and she hasn't worn them together yet, but after dressing her in her camo leggings yesterday I thought about how could they would be with her chambray top. The lace headband adds just right feminine and girly touch to pull it all together. I love little guys in button down shirts, they always look so handsome in them. A nice chambray top is something everyone in the family needs in their closet. The material is so soft and easy to wear and play in. I wear mine nearly weekly, it was also nice when we were nursing, so it's been a fave for a while.

Little Man

Chambray Top

Camo Pants

Beanie

Mama

Chambray Top ($15! Order a Tall for tunic length)

Camo Skinnies

Lace Headband

Little Lady

Chambray Top (still available in store)

Camo Leggings

Lace Headband 

Happy Tuesday!

Product Review: Maybelline Color Tattoo Eye Shadow

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded

 

Since buying our house, I haven’t had the chance to replenish some of my Holy Grail beauty products in a while. Our area is still developing and our closest mall is a solid 20 minute drive and I don’t make it over there that often. One thing I’ve been out of for a while is my Urban Decay Primer Potion (see my original review here) and I’ve had to check out some other primers in the meantime (like this so-so elf one). I wear eye shadow daily and like to use a primer base underneath to ensure it lasts my work day without fading or creasing. I know I can order it online, but I like going into beauty stores to check out other products and I’ve been wanting to go in to see some products from my Fall Beauty Inspiration post.

One item that’s been on my radar for a while is MAC’s Paint Pots (specifically Bare Study and Ochre). I’ve tried a paint pot in the past and didn’t care too much for it, but I have been wanting to try it again. A few of my girlfriends swear by them so I thought I should give them another go and added it to my Christmas list. While browsing my usual beauty blogs and Pinterest, I kept seeing the Color Tattoo Shadows repeatedly as dupes for MAC’s Paint Pots. During a late night pinning sesh, I found this particular pin and decided to test the Color Tattoo Shadow in Barely Branded since it’s considered a dupe for Bare Study.

Barely Branded is a pretty shimmery champagne color that makes for a good neutral base for shadows. I’ve used this only as a shadow base, but have used it almost every day since purchasing it. I use a small concealer brush (similar to this one) to apply a thin layer all over my lid to my brow bone before applying my shadows. The shadow is creamy and soft, creamier than I remember the paint pots to be. I was afraid that it would be hard and not blend well, but it applies easily and “sets” quickly. It’s a pretty wash and is buildable in color if you’re going to wear it alone. This color is very shimmery and adds some extra shimmer to the shadows I top it with. I don’t mind that since a lot of my shadows are shimmery anyways, but I do skip it when wearing matte shadows or I don’t want to add the extra shimmer to my look. One day when I think I applied too much I did have some creasing, but typically I haven’t had any creasing and my shadows last a solid 8-10 hours before fading. Win!

After trying this out now for a few weeks, I’m very pleased with it. I’m not interested at this time in trying other colors or using it alone, but I really like it for a shadow base. After finding this base, I don’t care about trying the paint pots again since this is working for me, especially with its great price point ($6.99). I do plan on re-purchasing my Urban Decay Primer Potion as that is a clear base, but will probably use them both equally depending on what shadows I’m using (matte vs shimmer).

What primers do you like to use? Do you use a primer at all? We have a shopping center opening up near our home in the next year or so and I’m crossing my fingers that it will include an Ulta!

OOTD: Blush + Booties

Blush Top // Jeans // Boots (last year, similar here)

This past weekend, I had a baby shower to go to and I knew exactly what I wanted to wear. I love those days when checking out your closet is easy and something immediately comes to mind. I snagged this top after seeing how much Megan loved it and had to try it out myself. I loved it immediately! I bought it online, but when I went into the store they had it for 70% off so I snagged two more in black and white. It's such an easy top to wear, I've already worn it and the black one to work already. It's super comfortable and I love how it drapes in the front. I totally feel like an Old Navy ad though since I'm wearing them head to toe.