OOTD: Pool Party Baby Shower

My sister and aunt threw a baby shower for me last weekend and when they asked me what I wanted to do, I said eat, swim, and relax. It was the perfect day and the water was amazing! We had good food- crescent sandwiches, pasta salad, green salad, shrimp cocktail, fruit, and a mimosa bar (with sparkling cider for the preggos/kids), good company, and good weather!

I wanted to get a new suit for the party and since it's the end of summer I thought I'd have a hard time finding a cute one, but Pink Blush always saves the day! I have seriously basically only worn Pink Blush this whole pregnancy- they just have everything I need. I saw this maternity swim top, added to cart immediately and it was on my doorstep two days later. I just love them!

OOTD + Little Critter Baby Shower

This past weekend, we had party after party for our little boy. It was such a busy and fun weekend! I felt so loved and I can't wait for him to join us and meet everyone! I'll post about both showers, but wanted to share this one with you first!

It was a little critter theme and it was so cute!! I wanted to get a new dress that went with the color scheme, and this Pink Blush one was perfect! I love their dresses and they're all so comfortable, it was so hot that day, but I was just as comfortable in this dress as I would be in anything else. The colors were gorgeous too- a pretty pinky peach and orange.

#reading2gether with Bookroo

Good morning! Tomorrow is my FAVORITE holiday and I'm so excited to celebrate it with family, good food, and in the pool! Want to know something else that's great about this week? One of my favorite companies, Bookroo is having a HUGE sale tomorrow!! I have to share it with you because they are the absolute best and we love our subscriptions with them.

Gender Reveal + First Trimester Recap

Good morning! Here's a fun post about our little one, we found out the gender a few weeks ago, but have been keeping it to ourselves. I had an appointment yesterday and confirmed the gender again, we found out early so I wanted to be sure! This first trimester has seriously flown right by. This has to be the quickest of any of my pregnancies, I guess two little ones will keep you busy like that! I can’t believe we were able to find out the gender so early on- we had to wait so long to find out with Eleanor and Emma had her legs crossed or the umbilical cord between her legs every time and it took forever!

I found out right at 12 weeks this time around, during my NT scan. The nurse was really nice and I asked her if she thought it would be possible to tell. She said that it would be really hard, the baby would have to be in just the right position, and that wasn’t what the appointment was technically for. Then we just chitchatted about old wives tales, life, work, etc. Then she asked me if I wanted to see the baby’s gender and turned the screen…

Our Little Announcement- Baby 3 is on its way!

We are so excited to finally share the secret we've been keeping since the new year started- our family is growing and we're adding another little one! We are over the moon that we're expecting, it was a welcome surprise!

Our Christmas Break

Happy New Year everyone! I hope all of you had a wonderful and magical holiday! I can't believe how quickly this past month, year, and holidays went! Wasn't it just the start of December?

Our Christmas break was so fun and memorable. It was one of the best Christmases I've had! Matt and I both have had the last ten days off work and I've loved being home together. Our vacation had a good mix of both busy and fun. We baked, watched Christmas movies, stuffed our bellies, crafted, and relaxed. Here's a quick recap of our break!

5 Tips for Perfect Family Pics with Kids!

Thank you for all of your kind words and support on my 5 Tips for Styling Family Photos! It was perfect timing since so many of you are taking pics for Christmas cards, I can’t wait to see your photos! Family pictures can be so stressful, once you’ve found your photographer, your outfits, and your location, you never know how it’s all going to come together. Will it rain? Will my hair cooperate? Will my children smile? Will they take a nap that day? Will they wake up happy from said nap?

5 Easy Tips for Styling Your Family Photos

When I shared our family pictures from this year, I told you guys how I plan on taking pictures every year as a family until I’m cold and dead. It’s so important to me to have pictures taken and I know I will always treasure them. Planning for pictures can be daunting, you want to coordinate but not be matchy-matchy so I put together an easy how-to to get you started! Finding pieces that match the look and feel you’re looking for can be tough, but I really enjoy the entire process!

Our Family Pics 2016

When Matt and I first were married, I told him we'd take family pictures every year until we died. I want to be able to see our family over the years, have something to look back on that captured our family and varying stages of its growth. While in Washington, one of my aunt's had their playroom covered in their family pics from over the years and I loved looking back at them and seeing their family grow. It's exactly what I want in my own home, 100s of pictures over the years and stories to tell with them. Pudgy fingers, goofy smiles, bad haircuts, missing teeth, awkward years, I want to remember and have something tangible to look through when I'm old and gray and share them with my grandchildren.

For pics this year, we met with Dana and Nate of Lovers or Love photography at the Santa Rosa Plateau. It was a gorgeous location and gave us a few different backdrops, I think we'll even go back next year and check out a different part of the park. Just like last year's, I had this planned for months and months. Our outfits had been carefully picked out before Easter even! It was our fifth session together with them and they did not disappoint. We're so comfortable shooting with them and I can always count on our pictures turning out just beautiful. I was worried about the girls, but they hammed it up! Smile after giant smile and these pictures would have to be my favorite ever! Yesterday, I had several printed and switched them out in our frames. I have so many more I want to print, it's just so hard to choose my favorites! Below is just a few of them, otherwise I'd have to include them all!

Our Washington State Trip Recap Part 2

Hello! Welcome back to the second part of our vacation recap, did you miss the first part yesterday? Check it out if you want to see all of our Seattle activities.

To pick up right where we left off (after Pike Place Market) The next day we did a bit of laundry, packed our bags, went outlet shopping, and swimming. It was a nice relaxing day before we headed out on our drive to Spokane. For the drive, we picked up Matt’s Dad who flew in early to spend time with his sister. We made a few stops for pictures, Honeycrisp apples, lunch and enjoyed the scenery. Once we got to Matt’s other aunt (his Mom’s sister) we unpacked, freshened up, and headed out to the rehearsal dinner at a nearby restaurant. The rest of his family trickled in on different flights, and everyone was there by midnight. Friday morning started bright and early with a homemade breakfast, a Costco run, some small errands and then we headed to the park to celebrate a cousin’s birthday with a big family soccer game. It was so fun to watch everyone play on the field, kids of all ages and parents all got in on the fun. I loved watching Matt on the field, he scored two goals! After the game we headed back to his aunt’s for a BBQ and to hang around the fire pit.

Our Washington State Trip Recap Part 1

Wow! This past week has been a whirlwind coming home from vacation. We were gone a total of nine days, coming home past midnight Monday and heading straight to work on Tuesday. Never again I tell ya! I’ll be sure to plan some time before returning home and work next time. Work has not slowed down for either of us and we had to get right back into the swing of things right away which was pretty tough! The girls adjusted really well, but I have been struggling all week long.

Have you ever been to Washington? It is one of the most beautiful states I’ve ever seen! Everywhere is so green, the sky is extra blue, and the clouds look painted on. We’ve been planning this trip for years, and finally had the chance and opportunity to go. Matt and I both have family up there and when we first planned on heading up there we bought our house and when I transferred positions I wasn’t able to get the same vacation week I had before so we put it off for the next year. When the next year came about I was pregnant and Emma would be born right around the time we would want to visit so we put it off again. Then, Matt’s cousin got engaged and planned her wedding for this September and boom, we were going!

Our Weekend

This past weekend was a whirlwind! We had so much fun and it didn't seem like it was gone in a blink of an eye. There was lots of laughs, lots of food, and most importantly some quality time with the girls. We played, cuddled, napped, and ate. I wish all weekends could be like this!

Friday Faves

Happy Friday everyone!!! The weekend is finally upon us! These last few days have just flown by for me and I'm hoping the weekend won't feel as quick. Have you shopped the Nordstrom sale yet? I posted my faves this week and will be checking out my cart this morning! I can't wait for it to arrive, I'll be sure to post some OOTD and reviews for you guys. I didn't order too much and I'm hoping a few items will restock. Did you get anything?

This weekend we don't have much planned, hoping to get some cleaning and errands ran and head to church Sunday. Ellie's hair is baby fine and the ends get knotted really easily so we've toyed around with the idea of getting her hair cut. When I mentioned it to her she flipped out and covered her hair with her hands saying she didn't want to cut her hair and that it will hurt. Poor thing took forever to settle down and I felt so bad. I only even contemplated it thinking that it may be easier to brush with that little bit gone. I've thought about taking her to a princess salon and having her watch other girls trim their hair and see how she feels about it. If we don't cut her hair, it's no big deal, I'd be devastated anyways because she has the cutest of curls only at the ends and I hate the thought of losing them. 

This week's Friday Faves is a bit of this and that, hope you all enjoy!

Lauren B Polish

This week I was putting Emma to bed when Ellie came in to give her kisses and say good night, she saw my feet on my the rocker and talked about how my toes weren't painted. She immediately left the room and came back with a polish and a napkin (to keep under my toes) so that she could give me a pedi. It was so sweet so I told her once Emma was down she could do it. I'm so glad I let her! Usually I'm too OCD and afraid that she would make a huge mess, but it was no big deal. It was the sweetest and funniest thing I've ever seen. It was all over my toes and so thick and wet in spots, she was so careful to get all of my nails covered in paint, going slow and as meticulously as she could. It was just the cutest thing. She has a heart of gold that little one.

Sutter Sisters Bow Shop

How cute is this leather trio set from Sutter Sisters? I love the colors, it's going to be perfect for now and transitioning into cooler temps...whenever that will be! It's been over 100 every day this week so far! The dark floral is my fave! I'm in love with this cookies and milk bow too! I paired with this bubble romper and I can't wait to get Emma in it this weekend. Sutter Sisters is also offering 20% both their shops (here and here) with KRISTEN20, so be sure to grab a set or two! There's a ton of super cute bows, moccs, and purses for your little ladies.

Emma's birthday is just around the corner and the first of her party decorations have arrived! I'm obsessing over this cake topper from Rustic Daisy Designs, it's absolute perfection! Before I had settled on a theme, I knew I had to have it for her big day. We're doing a garden party and when I saw these sweet felt flowers from Wholesale Bow Supply, a million ideas zipped through my head. This weekend I'll be doing a few more crafts and picking up some items and then I gotta go to work on the details. I'm so excited for her party and can't wait to share more with you guys!

I shared this pic already on Instagram, but I'm always, always wearing a hair tie on my wrist but I try and hide it under my watch because it can be such an eye sore, Maria Shireen sent me this gorgeous rose gold bracelet and you can wear your hair tie in it! It's the most genius thing ever! I love the look with the hair tie in or out of it and that you can even change your hair tie to something fun and bright to get a whole new look or pop of color. The bracelet is really well made and I love that it takes something so ordinary and transform it to something beautiful. Another item I'm listing in the "why didn't I think of that" category. You can support postpartum awareness and support with their Charity Ties and $10 for each bracelet sold is donated to Postpartum Progress to help build healthier families and build and support women.

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend! Thank you for stopping by!

Our Weekend

This weekend was amazing for us. We did nothing! It was awesome not having somewhere to be or go (besides regular errands and swim class). We're always on the go, go, go, and I'm so happy to be busy with loved ones, but we've been needing a weekend just at home. The days seemed long and we napped both Saturday and Sunday (not long naps, but a quick cat nap that I'll take any day). They were long in the sense that we didn't feel like they just slipped between our fingers with a blink of an eye. We played and played with the girls, did some weeding outside, went on a Costco run, and caught up on Big Brother.

Hat // Top // Shorts (on sale!)

This hat is a lifesaver! I've been wanting a baseball hat forever and it's just one of those things for me that I don't really go out and buy, it's something that I just kind of come across. Does that make sense? Since we moved into our house, I seem to have lost all of my hats except for two- a floppy felt hat and a straw panama one. Well, I've been on the lookout for baseball cap that I like and I couldn't pass this one up. Matt and I are Dodger fans, it's a soft fabric, and it's small so it fits perfectly. I've basically lived in this exact outfit all weekend long. Here, I had just washed and blow dried my hair (just flipping it over, no time for a real blow out) and threw it on to run a few errands. I think I'll be wearing this hat all the time!

 

Suit

Ellie has been doing so great in her swim lessons! She goes just once a week for 30 minutes, but we swim a lot on the weekends with family and friends. She's been working really hard on a few skills and this past week she's moved up in her class. We're so proud of her and her accomplishments! I really look forward to every Saturday because I love watching her in the water. She's such a natural and it's so fun to see what she's learned and how far she's come from when she started.

Romper // Bonnet (c/o Little Sun Hat)

Last week I realized I never gave a full update on Emma and her broken finger, so sorry to be so late on it! Emma had her cast removed a few weeks ago and her finger is healed!! Originally, the doctor had said we would need to follow up every three months and that surgery could still be a possibility. I was worried that it wouldn't heal correctly and afraid that she would have to have surgery. When the doctors removed her cast and took new x-rays, her finger had healed so well that no follow ups will be needed! I'm so incredibly thankful! Thank you everyone for your sweet words, prayers, and thoughts. It means so much to me and the family!

Are these not the cutest bows you've ever seen? I'm just in love with them! They're from Rain & Honey Bows and the colors, prints, and shapes are just to die for. I seriously want every single one in every single color and shape. Ugh, they're so cute. 

We've lived in our house now for just over two years and it's slowly coming together. One room that is just the bane of my existence is our dining room. We've been wanting a buffet since we moved in and last weekend I finally found one! It was a total score at HomeGoods and it was so funny because when we had just bought the house I found a similar one there and by the time I decided to buy it, it was already sold! In a matter of 15 minutes or less! So this time, my mother-in-law and I guarded it with our lives until a worker came by to help us out. Now that we have it set up in the room (we finally busted out our China set from our wedding!), we just need to style it, paint the room, get a mirror, art work, a new dining table and the room will be complete! LOL. The room looks so much better though now and we finally have a direction of what we're looking for and where we want the room to go. 

Sheets // Ruffled Comforter and Pillow Set (Target, similar here)

Square Pillows (HomeGoods)

Last weekend, I took advantage of a bedding and bath sale at Target and I just love how a fresh made, clean sheet bed feels. I love these sheets because their have an extra elastic on them that keeps them from coming up on the corners- a problem we always had before! We've bought so many different brands and types of sheets (deep pocket ones for example) and these are our favorite! I love this taupe and gray print too, it looks so pretty against our headboard.

That's exactly where I am right now too- in my nice cozy bed, finishing tonight's Big Brother, with my little Ellie belly snoring next to me (thanks to a bedtime meltdown, she's in ours for the night). Hope you're ready for the work week! May your Monday go by quickly tomorrow!

Our Weekend

Suit

This weekend started out like every other with morning swim lessons! Ellie is such a little fish and is doing really well in class. Sometimes she gets silly and wants to play, but we've been working with her on listening. She is really close to moving up to the next class level and we've been working with her on gliding and pushing off the step to the ledge and keeping her eyes in the water while kicking. I think she'll be there really soon!

Shelves // Buckets // Playmat

After swim we ran some errands as a family and came home for some QT as a family. The girls have been playing so well together and I snapped this cute pic of them in the playroom. Emma just adores Ellie and wants to be near her all the time and watch/copy what she's doing. Ellie is an awesome big sister too, she's really rocked the role. On a sidenote, this playroom is out of control. I need to go through everything and rotate the toys and do a major purge for donations.

Saturday night we headed out with some friends for the Angels game. We had amazing tickets in the Diamond Club behind home plate. Since Saturday marked exactly 6 months til Christmas, Angel stadium was completely decked out in holiday gear. All the workers had ugly sweater Angel hats, there was Christmas carolers, elves, baby reindeer, giant wreaths, and Christmas music! Santa even pitched the first ball! It was awesome! We had so much fun too and it was nice to get a some time with our friends.

Ellie's Bow from El and El Shop get 20% off with KRISTEN20 (c/o) 

Top // Shorts // Shoes

Sunday we had a birthday party at a park for our dear friend's first birthday! It was at a new park near our home and I can't wait to take Ellie back to play. They had these steps that went across the playground that wiggled and Ellie was so nervous to do them, but I worked with her a few times and then she was nearly running across them before we left! I love watching her overcome her fears and build her self-confidence. She was so proud of herself and started doing it in all different ways and clapping for herself, it was awesome. She is just the cutest and so much fun. She kept saying "Mom! Watch! Me big!!". I just love her.

Ellie's Suit // Emma's Float

After the party we met up with our date night friends for a BBQ and some swimming. We had a nice spread for lunch and it was so delicious! Chicken, artichoke (she made the BEST dip for it too!), pasta salad, fruit, and cheesy potatoes. It was so good, my mouth is watering thinking about it. Their community has an awesome 1ft kid pool and the girls LOVED it! Emma could stand in it with her float and move wherever she wanted to go, Ellie worked on kicking and is loving her goggles (cutest thing ever), and dragged Emma around all over. It was so fun! I know we'll be getting together a lot this summer with the kiddos.

Now, we're relaxing and catching up on Big Brother- who else watches???, and eating Oreo Mint milkshakes. It's been a perfect weekend and I love being able to spend so much time with my family. Hope you had a great weekend too!

Our Weekend

This weekend seemed so short to me, but it was filled with lots of quality time. Since adding Emma to our family, Matt and I have tried to focus on having more quality time as a family. Anything can be made into quality time, even just folding clothes together! It's just trying to put more thought and intention in your actions and conversations. We didn't do anything crazy or big this weekend, but it was really relaxing and nice. Just like everyone else, I feel like we're always on the go and I love when time seems to slow down and we can enjoy each other's company more.

Friday night after work, dinner, and putting Emma down, Ellie, Matt and I played for so long with some of Ellie's birthday toys. She has a few toys that have small pieces that we can't have out with Emma around so she doesn't get to play with them all the time. We had so much fun playing Don't Break the Ice, playing pretend with her doll house, and playing with her Lite Brite. It's crazy how I played these same games as a child and get to do them again with my own children. If you're looking for some fun toys for 3 year olds, Ellie loves these toys and it makes for some fun family nights. We also love Hungry, Hungry, Hippos too!



Saturday I had to work, but met up with Matt's family afterwards for some BBQ and swimming. We have some family in town for the week and we had a blast hanging out together! I love days we spend in the water, it's what summer is all about! Plus, my girls love being in the pool (poor Emma had to just be a spectator since she still has her cast for another week) and always guarantees a good night of sleep for everyone.

These palazzo pants are my favorite (from Jane back in April, but I've seen them since on there!). I seriously love them and the print is so gorgeous! I've only ever worn them with a white tee and I thought I'd switch it up with a striped one (similar here and here both for under $10!). It was kind of busy and I wasn't sure how I liked it at first, but I ended up loving them together! It's not for everyone and I'm not sure how often I'll wear them together, but it was fun.

Sunday, we just relaxed all day. I went to bed with every intention of going to church in the morning but we just didn't make it. Ellie slept in late (which NEVER happens) and we just had the laziest day. I even took an hour nap!! It was a Sunday miracle I tell ya. After everyone's nap we just did stuff around the house, put some Taco Soup on the crock pot and met up with some friends for a park date in their neighborhood. It was a perfect Sunday with my favorites. Don't forget you can get 15% off your Cheerily Co order using LOVELIPSTICKANDPEARLS15 at check out thru Wednesday June 15!! We love our snuggle tees, they're extra soft and fit perfectly!

Have a great Monday! Thanks for stopping by!

Our Weekend

Last week I was on vacation and today starts my first week back to the grind. We had such a great weekend and the girls actually slept in on Sunday! I didn't know it was possible. When we woke up we brought the girls to our bed for some snuggling, made french toast for breakfast with fresh blueberries, and then just did stuff around the house. It was so nice to be together with no schedule and stay at home. We're always on the go and I just relish these days without plans together.

Top (out of stock, similar here) // Shorts // Wedges

Saturday night Matt's work had a big social event so we got a little date night out. It was so fun and a lot of his coworkers all had kids around the same ages as our girls so we all had so much to talk about. Everyone he works with is so nice and it was great to meet their wives. I actually know a lot of them already from working at the same place back in college and through my girlfriend who also worked there for several years. The food was great and the company was a lot of fun. I know Matt enjoys working there, and I can see why! They were goofing off the whole night.

Wedges // Purse

For my birhtday, my SIL and BIL gave me an Old Navy gift card and I picked up these two items with it. I've had my eye on this saddle bag forever and it's blush perfection! I've fallen in love with these Chloe espadrilles, but there's no way I would ever pay so much for a shoe! I saw these online and thought they were similar in style. I wasn't 100% on them, but they were super comfortable. I wore them out with the above outfit and they didn't hurt my feet at all! At the very end of the night, after 6+ hours in them, I had two spots on my feet that were getting a bit sore, but that's it. No real pain. That never happens ya'll. Go get yourself a pair.

Top & Bloomer Set

We are taking family pics in August and Emma's outfit just came in and it's so cute!! I absolutely love this and I'm gonna pair it with a cute headband and matching moccs. The back opens up and I think it's gonna photograph really pretty. I want her to wear it now, but I'm afraid of it somehow getting ruined before our pics so I'm just gonna put it away for now.

Shorts

I was just sent an 8 in 1 wand curler that I've been playing with and it's so fun. I'm going to play with it some more and try all the wand options and will be doing a full review soon. So far, I'm loving it. It's definitely different than using a curling iron with a clip, but I like how the curls are turning out! Do you use a wand or curling iron? Have any tips or YouTube video tutorials I can watch?

Hope you're all having a great week! Happy Monday, thank you for stopping by!

Our Weekend + Classic Dot Review!

This weekend was so busy! There was no lounging, relaxing, and definitely no sleeping in. Or coordinating naps. I had to work on Saturday (as did Matt), so my sister came up to watch the girls. We had a whole day planned for over a month for shopping, errand running, and party prep for Ellie's third birthday next week.

Saturday was pretty hectic, I was home later than anticipated for work, it took longer to get out of the house, and we were home later than we wanted to be. Why does that seem to always happen? After dinner we got to work on some crafts and we got a ton done for Ellie's party. We watched Zootopia and How to be Single while we did the party favors and made tissue poms (only 6 left to fluff!). It was so nice spending time with her and it was really the only day to do anything for the party. I'm so lucky to have a sister and be so close to her, I wish we were able to see each other more often!

Sunday we had a birthday party at a local park and it was so much fun! It's so great seeing my girlfriends and their kids, and the babies were all obsessed with each other. It was the cutest thing to watch! They'd all laugh at each other, try and feed one another, and play.  I had intended to do more errands after the party, but the girls were tired so we came home for a nap. I was hoping to get them to nap together (a miracle), but they each napped independently from each other and when one wasn't crying the other was. No errands or crafting for me!

While we were out, I dressed Emma in the cutest moccs from Classic Dot. We got so many compliments on them and I love having something soft on her feet. I used to think that all baby moccs were the same, but I'm obsessed with these spring silver ones! They're such high quality, and they totally stayed on her feet all day long! Emma loves to pull everything off her feet, but she kept these babies on all day. The shape of them seem to fit Emma's feet better than other baby shoes we have and the elastic around the ankle is a higher quality. The leather is a nice thickness and super soft, perfect for little feet!

Classic Dot is offering all readers 20% off through May 31 using LOVE20 at check out! Be sure to get your little a pair, I'm loving the Bloom and Mint ones!

10 Things I Always Tell My Children

Becoming a mother is one job I've always wanted. Playing house was my favorite game, I loved watching kids, I had to hold every baby I met, and I couldn't wait to join the sweet inner circle of motherhood. I've always read a lot of articles about parenthood, even while in high school. I just wanted to do it "right", to do the best that I could to give my children the best of me. I'm in no way a perfect parent and I never will be, but I hope to give my children what they need from me. I think it's important to be intentional and I think a lot about the words I use when I talk to my girls, what messages I want to share with them, what actions I can take to guide them, love them, build their self-esteem, and teach them. There's so, so, so many things I want for my children, it's truly and endless list, but these 10 phrases below are something I tell them often. 

1. I love you
This is a given for any parent, but I make sure to tell them every single day, multiple times. I want to ensure my children know that I will love them no matter what. No matter their choices, their lifestyle, or anything I will always love them unconditionally. I never want them to think that something they choose to do will make me love them any less or that they can’t come with me with a problem. I will always love them and I want them to know that.

2. Don’t give up, keep trying!
When Eleanor first starts something, she can get frustrated that it’s not right or she can’t do it right away. I always encourage her to keep trying to keep going and she’ll eventually get it. Life is hard, and I want my children to be able to face their challenges and not be discouraged if it’s not right the first time.

3. Please / Thank you
Not only do I want to teach my children manners, but I want them to speak with respect and kindness. I don’t want them to expect things to be given or done for them, but to ask politely and to show appreciation to others.

4. I’m sorry / I forgive you
Everyone makes mistakes, I’m not a perfect person, friend, wife, or mother. If I’ve done something wrong, I want to make it right, especially to those I love. When my patience is short, when I raise my voice, I talk to my girls. I’ve apologized and talked to them and when the situation is the other way around, I talk to them about their actions. They’re little, but they’re smart. They know and understand so much more than what they can verbalize.

5. It’s ok to feel ____
One lesson I’m trying to teach Ellie is that she is in control of her actions and her emotions do not control her. How she feels is important, and it’s ok for her to feel any emotion she is feeling. I want her to know that how she feels is important to me and she doesn’t need to be sorry that she feels one way or another. When she’s had a tantrum, I’ve told her “It’s ok to be mad. It’s ok to be mad at mommy. It’s not okay to yell.” We’re practicing positive ways to express herself. It’s a lesson I’m sure will take years to learn and she’s not going to master it in her toddler years, but I want her to know that how she feels is valid and to be able to make the right decisions and actions for each situation instead of letting her emotions control her.

6. I’m proud of you
Telling your child that you're proud of them boosts their confidence, lets them feel loved, and it's so easy to do! "You're an amazing sister!", "You did that so fast, that's awesome!", "You did a great job sharing today at play time!". Look for the good and you'll find it! When we've had a great day together, and we're talking over dinner time, I'm always sure to brag to my husband about what great thing we did that day- showing kindness, good listening, obeying, etc. Her face just lights up and she gets the biggest smile. 

7. It’s your choice
We give Ellie a several choices to make each day so she can learn to make decisions on her own and to feel empowered. We do a lot of “this or that” and “if, then” questions. We also follow through with consequences when she makes the wrong decision. We do this to teach her to take responsibility for her actions and to build her confidence in decision making. It might seem like a lot for a toddler, but these questions at this time mostly refer to clothing and food choices.

8. You’re beautiful
Children have so many wonderful, amazing qualities and abilities, and there's so much we want to teach them, and one of those things I want to teach my children is that they're beautiful. I think they're absolutely perfect in every way and I want them to feel confident about their looks and their bodies. The world can be full of so much judgment and as girls they're subject to so much ridicule, looks aren't everything, but I want them to have a positive opinion of themselves. 

9. I trust you
Trust is a foundation to all relationships and you start building trust with you baby as soon as they're born. When they cry, they're trusting you to meet their needs, whether that's to be picked up and soothed, fed, or changed. When you drop them off at daycare in the mornings, they're trusting that you will come back to get them! They look for follow through on promises (or threats) and trust in your word. It also goes the other way, I want my children to know that I trust them too. By trusting in your children, they learn to trust themselves, their inner voice, their intuition, and I want to nurture and strengthen that. Of course my children will make decisions I don't agree with, but I trust that they're continuing to grow and develop and when they're older, no one will know them better than they know themselves. 

10. I’m listening
Each day when we get home from work and over the dinner table we ask Eleanor about her day. When she’s upset or has thrown a tantrum, once she calms down we talk to her about whatever it was that upset her. I often tell her “I’m listening” and “tell me more” so that she knows that I care and that what she has to say is important to me. It give her an opportunity to share her thoughts and feelings and also teaches her the importance of listening.

What are some things you're sure to tell your children? What messages are important to you to teach? I love hearing what other families say and teach, there's so much to learn and new things to do! Please share below!

Our Weekend + Recent Purchases

Happy Leap Day! What an exciting and fun day! I love leap years and consider them lucky. This weekend was super mellow, we stayed in Friday and I picked up some Mexican food and we just relaxed and caught up on some TV. Since moving, we haven't found a must-have, go-to spot for Mexican food yet. At our old place, we had this little shop around the corner had the best ceviche ever. This new place was just ok, but they accidentally gave us a carne asada burrito and it was so bomb. Bomb! So we'll definitely go back for that! Otherwise, we're still on the hunt for a place.

Bikini so Teeny, Fiji, Topless and Barefoot, Go Ginza, Lilacism, Ballet Slippers, Pink Parka, Blossom Dandy

Saturday morning I went for a mani and pedi with a girlfriend. We met up at Target for a little bit of shopping and then went out for our appointment. It was so nice to relax and catch up on some gossip and girl talk. I went in with my own colors, but we both ended up doing a China Glaze shade on our toes. It's funny because I've had this color on my Amazon list forever and when I saw it in person I immediately bought it.

Fingers: Lilacism // Toes: Too Yacht To Handle

On my way home, I picked up a movie for Ellie. I really wanted The Good Dinosaur, but it was out everywhere! Instead we got Hotel Transylvania 2, since she's been watching the first one. We spent the day being lazy, doing endless loads of laundry, and snuggling. It was one of very few Saturdays that we had no where to go and nothing we had to do. It was just a great day snuggling my two girls and just relaxing.

Shorts // Dress and Romper Set // Sunnies // Blue Romper
Floral Romper // Top and Short Set

I ordered some shorts for Ellie and some summer clothes for Emma a few weeks ago and have forgotten to share them. I was hoping that the Ellie's clothes would overlap more for Emma to use, but Emma's going into 9 month sizing and Ellie was that size during Christmas so almost everything of Ellie's is fleece or long sleeved. I think that's how most of the clothes are going to work. Womp womp. Ellie had so many cute clothes that she never wore or only got to wear a few times! I guess that means we'll have to have one more girl right??

Sleepsack // Jammies

On my Target run, I also picked up a Sleepsack for Emma. We've been swaddling her below her arms and needed to get a sleeveless swaddle for her. I have one like this from Ellie and I can't find it anywhere- it's driving me nuts! Especially since I just recently sorted and vacuumed sealed Ellie's previous clothes. I don't remember seeing it in the mix, but maybe I missed it? I also couldn't resist these sweet mint jammies with the mommy and baby zebras. Too cute!

Concealer // Matte Balm in Showy

Friday morning, I used the last of my Holy Grail concealer (see my HG Post to see what else I swear by) so I needed to pick one up asap. This is probably my 4th or 5th, maybe even my 6th tube of this stuff? I swear by it and wear it every single day. I've tried a lot of concealers and they don't work as well for me as this and still look natural without giving me a raccoon eye. After falling in love with Revlon's Honey, I wanted a bright shade to add and Showy is perfection!! It really stains and a swatch on my hand took forever and some makeup remover to get it all off. Another win! I posted a quick shot of it on Instagram if you'd like to see it on, but I'm sure I'll be posting about it more!

ClarityRX

So, Hyluronic Acid is a huge skincare trend right now, I first heard about it from Meg (I know you're all shocked, since most of my beauty products come from her reviews), and then I started seeing it everywhere! ClarityRX sent me this sample and after using it for just a few days, I could see such a huge difference I ordered more immediately! From their site, "This hydrator serum, made with a water-soluble formula, erases dull and dry skin, leaving you with a supple complexion." My skin is so soft, it's no wonder at all why all the beauty and skin gurus are swearing by this stuff!

We ended the weekend like we usually do, more laundry, some good food, and more snuggles. It was another nice weekend for us together. I was able to relax and get a lot done around the house. Now I'm all ready to take the week head on! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, thank you for stopping by and reading!