Five on Friday :: We're Still Here

Sounds the alarms, for I have blogged!

So sorry for my unintended hiatus the past few weeks.  Truth be told, I bit off a little more than I can chew this past month between my regular crazy life with two kiddos, a husband and work, plus adding a new project with Houston Moms Blog and oh taking on a WHOLE other side business with Rodan + Fields makes for a lot.  I can say that I'm loving everything that I'm working on and know this busy season will taper off in the coming weeks.

All that to say, I've missed my little space on the Internet and am happy to check in.

ONE - JACK

Jack celebrated his third birthday early in May.  I plan to recap his birthday celebration, but rather than planning a big party like we have done for him the past two years, we did a little "staycation" in Kemah.  We had a great time celebrating our sweet boy.  

TWO  - COLIN

Colin is also doing great!  I can't believe he is now 6 months old!  He is starting to eat solid food like bananas and avocado, is sitting up and is so active.  He's not crawling yet, but he is getting close.  He moves around great in circles and has fun rolling over.  He is the happiest little guy that will almost always give you the biggest smile.

One major update with Colin is that we are in the process of getting a Doc Band for him.  It's not official yet, but we are going this morning for measurements to submit to our insurance company.  We had a consultation last weekend to see if he even needed this treatment.  After measurements, pictures and speaking with our pediatrician, we all came to the conclusion that this is a necessity for him.  I'm nervous about how he will do with it on.  I'm hoping it will be comfortable for him, especially in the Houston heat this summer.  It's estimated that he will wear it for around 4 months.  I do plan to document the journey on the blog.


THREE - ME & J

A few updates with us old folks.  We both have been busy as usual.  Jason has gotten on a major health kick, working out with a trainer in the morning and eating clean.  That's made me step up my game in the kitchen since I do the majority of grocery shopping and cooking.  I was so frustrated at first if we are being honest because of the competitive person that I am, I wanted to hang with him and lose weight, workout everyday and eat clean.  After a few weeks of killing myself I had to be honest and realize that now is not my time to go all in with weight loss.  That's not to say that I'm not eating better and working out more, but I just can't do as much as I'd like with our schedule, me still nursing, etc.

We celebrated my birthday last week on top of Mother's Day the weekend prior so it's truly been a month of celebrations! 

Birthday cupcake!

FOUR - HOUSTON MOMS BLOG SUMMER PLAY DATE SERIES

The team and I at Houston Moms Blog have been working hard to get our Summer Play Date Series kicked off!  We just launched the Facebook group so if you are local, be sure to join it so you will be in the know about all of the upcoming play dates around Houston between June 6 - August 12.  And new this year will be some really cute shirts you can order for yourself and your kiddo.  #ilovematchingshirts

FIVE - RODAN + FIELDS

And last but not least is Rodan + Fields!  I've now been a consultant for one month and am loving it!  I love the team I'm on and all of the fun opportunities that are coming my way.  I'm thankful that I pushed away the fear of failing and jumped all in.  I've said this before, but I was so skeptical of doing direct sales and very so apprehensive, but it's really made me happy and excited.

I'm hosting my business launch party this Tuesday, May 24 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at More Than You Can Imagine in River Oaks.  I'd love for you to join us!  I promise it's not a "pressure to buy" event.  It's a celebration of my business and a great way to see and touch the products since we normally don't host sales parties.  Hope to see you there for a fun girls night!

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Five on Friday

Happy Friday!  This week was a whirlwind and I actually can't believe it's Friday already.  Houston had some devastating flooding and while our neck of the woods is doing well my thoughts and prayers are constantly on everyone who is still dealing with the mess including the area that I grew up in.  It's sad to see the images of houses and businesses under water and even more sad to think about the people who are out of their homes and worse. 

Okay - now back to my Friday Five.  Let's jump right in!

ONE

I made a HUGE decision this week to become a Rodan & Fields consultant.  This explains my lack of blogging this week as my head has been spinning diving into the business.  Let me first say that I promise this blog won't turn into an ongoing sales pitch, but I am excited to share over the course of a few posts how it is changing my skin for the better.

You all know I love my beauty products!  Unfortunately, I severely abused tanning beds in high school and college and also noticed a change in my skin after two pregnancies in two years.  I fell in love with Rodan & Fields after trying a mini-facial and now I'm loving the very real transformation I'm seeing with products like the multi-function eye cream.  I never thought I would venture into direct sales, but I truly love this company - and the product discounts I get as a consultant! #letsbehonest  I can't wait to share these great products that I use and love. Feel free to look around my site and see the products that are offered.  Take the solutions tool quiz to find your perfect regimen.  I would also love to send you a little happy :: a mini facial for you to try and pamper yourself with.  Just comment below with your email address and I'll send you one next week!

TWO

If you are in Houston, don't miss my Blow Dry Bar Round-Up on Houston Moms Blog this week.  Give your hair a little happy hour and yourself a break!

THREE

Jack is about to turn THREE in a little over a week and Colin turns 6 months next week...what?!  Time sure flies.  Instead of a big party like we've done for Jack's birthday for year one and two, we are just doing a special family weekend with the four of us soon in Kemah.  I think this will be just as special as a big party, maybe even more so.  I can't wait to celebrate my big boy!  

FOUR

I ordered this dress after seeing it on Annie from Home of Malones.  It looked right up my alley - shift dress, black and white stripes...sign me up!  Can't wait to receive it in the mail.  I ordered two sizes since my body is all over the place in sizes lately.   I hope it works! 

FIVE

This face.  I just can't get enough.  And he couldn't get enough avocado that he tried for the very first time this week.

Have a great weekend and please continue to pray for those affected by the floods! 

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Five on Friday :: From the Archives

Happy Friday!  I've been struggling to keep up this week.  Can anyone else relate?  Both of the kiddos are nursing colds and I've been getting little sleep and lots of snot (just keeping it real over here)!  I'm on deadline for a Houston Moms Blog post at the moment so while I catch-up with other areas of my life, please enjoy five posts from the archives.

I hope you have a great weekend!  We are taking Jack to Disney on Ice tomorrow and I'm hoping to get a workout or two in to balance out the chips and guacamole I'm currently craving and plan on eating this weekend (hopefully from a nice patio...with a glass of wine).

ONE :: Perfect Heatless Curls Hair Tutorial

TWO ::  8 Slow Cooker Meals in 1 Hour

THREE :: Planner Comparison {Day Designer vs. Erin Condren Life Planner}

FOUR :: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Birthday Party

FIVE :: Back on Weight Watchers {A Post About Dieting}

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Five on Friday

Hello Friday!  So happy to see you.  I'm exhausted from doing some solo parenting this week so let's jump right into my random five...

ONE

I was really sad to put up the Easter decor yesterday, but I was happy to still have a little holiday decor to play with on my Happy Everything Platter!  I wanted this thing for so long and my bestie got it for me last year for my birthday.  It's been so fun collecting new attachments throughout the year.  I keep it displayed in my kitchen year-round and just change the attachments out each holiday or season. 

TWO

I feel like a basketball wife this week.  Jason works for the city of Houston and is helping to host the Final Four that is in town this weekend.  He's been assigned one of the teams and has been with them since they arrived in Houston on Wednesday.  He's been attending fancy dinners with the players and coaches and I've been entertaining a two year old and 5 month old with Mickey Mouse and chicken nuggets.  Super fair.  Are you following Final Four this weekend?  

THREE

Mark your calendars and set your DVR's because Southern Charm is coming back to Bravo this Monday, 4/4.  It's so good - I can't wait!

FOUR

If you are planning on taking family photos soon be sure and check out my latest post on Houston Moms Blog with 25 Stunning Spring & Summer Family Photo Ideas.

FIVE

If you live in Houston and are a blogger, did you hear about the Pinterest Workshop on June 12?  Tickets go on sale today and I'm hoping to snag one!   Pinterest is something I've never put much effort into except to pin recipes, but I'd love to see more traffic to my blog and think this will be a way to improve. 

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Five on Friday

TGIF!   Keeping this short and sweet today - I hope you have a great weekend!  We have a busy one ahead with a baby shower, egg hunt and all of our usual weekend shenanigans. 

ONE 

This week I've been loving a new Nars lipgloss I picked up in the color Salamanca.  It's the perfect blend of pink and red and great for everyday wear this spring.

TWO 

I'm over at Houston Moms Blog talking about ways to refresh your beauty collection for spring!  What new products did I miss that you are loving?

THREE

Loft is currently doing $25 off all dresses, skirts & cardigans - even the new arrivals.  There are some really great dresses for spring.  This shift made it's way home with me somehow.  It's very figure flattering and perfect for the office, church and when you want to look effortlessly put-together!  Sale ends Sunday. 

FOUR

I desperately need to get on board with some type of diet/workout plan.  I was going to jump back into drinking Shakeology and doing the 21 Day Fix since I already have everything and even joined an accountability group that starts on Monday, but now I'm worried that starting a weight loss diet isn't the best idea while I'm nursing.  I also took to the internet last night about drinking Shakeology while nursing - mixed reviews on that too.  Anyone have thoughts or experience with this?

I realize this sounds like me making excuses, but nursing right now is top priority.  I should just eat good and workout, but I do better if I'm on a specific plan.

I do plan on getting back into Pure Barre 1-2 nights a week and already talked to Jason about this - not that I need his permission, but I do need him on board since it will affect his schedule.  I also signed up for a free trial of Les Mills On Demand.  I absolutely love these workouts, but lack a close gym that offers them.  Now I just need to get off my over-tired butt and do them!

FIVE 

If you are looking for something to do this weekend and are in the Houston area, there are still a few tickets left for the Spring EGGstravaganza hosted by Houston Moms Blog.  Get tickets and more info HERE. 

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Five on Friday :: What's in My Shopping Cart

I love to see what people buy!  Call me weird, but shopping hauls and current obsessions are some of my favorite blog posts so I thought I'd share a few things that found their way into my online shopping carts recently! 

ONE :: A new pair of sunnies...

I used a gift card from Christmas to buy myself some new sunnies.  Last week I had it narrowed down  to four pair.  I finally decided to give these a try and love them!  They are the perfect size, shape and color for me and are very comfortable.  

Kate Spade Bayleigh in Camel Tortoise

TWO :: A possible Easter dress...

I have not received this dress yet so I can't speak about fit or material.  Shift dresses generally look good on me but when they are wrong, they are so WRONG.  I'm hoping this will work to wear on Easter Sunday.  It seems like it would be comfortable and forgiving.  This post-baby body is loving prints right which tend to hide leakage, spit-up and body flaws.  

Factory Printed T-shirt Dress

THREE :: My favorite hair product in the entire world...

I have used this stuff for years!  I apply a few pumps to my damp hair after every wash and it really helps combat dryness and makes my hair so soft and smell really good.  It is expensive for a hair product, but lasts forever.  The last time I ordered this product was in August so it lasted about 6 months.  

Kerastase Elixir Ultime Beautifying Hair Oil

FOUR :: Valentine's for Jack...

Love that Minted now has classroom Valentine's!  They are cute, personalized and quick to order.  When I placed my order there was a promotion for free personalized stickers too! 

Classroom Valentine's From Minted

FIVE :: A ticket to a local blog conference...

I was on the fence about attending a blog conference this year since it means I'm leaving Jason to wrangle two kids all day on a Saturday, but ultimately I decided that I really want to do this!  There are several speakers who were announced that I'm downright giddy to meet and hear from.  I attended this conference last year and loved it and the people so much. 

Thrive Blog Conference February 26-27, 2016

Now it's your turn!  What is in your virtual shopping cart? 

Happy Friday! 

 
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