Summer Beauty Favorites

1- Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer - Illuminating
If you've been following my blog for awhile, you will know that this has been a favorite of mine for the past 4 or 5 summers.  It's lightweight, has SPF, and the perfect amount of coverage for those casual summer days - and it gives a beautiful healthy glow to your face too!

2- Sonia Kashuk Cream Bronzer
This is a new favorite, but I have been reaching for it almost every day since I picked it up at Target.  I actually found it hard to find, so if you do see it in stores, grab it while you can!  It's a beautiful and very easy-to-use cream bronzer that I use with an E.L.F stippling brush.  Just apply on the cheekbones and around the temples, and blend!  It's gorgeous, great for summer, and I've heard it's very comparable to this pricey alternative. 

3- Fresh Sugar Lip Balm
A cult favorite for a reason, this is simply the best lip balm I've ever used!  And I love all the tinted colors they have now! 

4- Stila Eyeshadow "Kitten"
Another cult fave: this is my go to shadow if I want to wear any eye makeup.  A champagne glow with just the right amount of shimmer to make you look awake and put together.


5- Anastasia Brow Wiz
My brows are light, and they get even lighter after being in the sun, so I like to fill them in to give them some definition and color.  This mechanical pencil is the best I've found, and gives a very natural, polished and long-lasting look that is perfect all year round.  And I love the spooley on the end!

6- OPI Nail Polish "Cajun Shrimp"
Supposedly this is the most asked for color of all OPI shades, and there's a reason for that!  I have this on my toes all summer long.  It's a gorgeous coral/orange/red color that just screams tropical vacation!

7- Urban Decay All Nighter Spray
I think I'm on my 4th bottle of this stuff - does that say anything about my love for this product?  It's a makeup setting spray that will literally make your makeup stay put all day.  No one has time to fix or reapply the melting mess that summer makeup can leave, so this refreshing and cooling mist of a spray will prevent that from happening!  I love this stuff.

8- Milani Blush "Luminoso"
If you're a fan of glowy cheeks with a peachy-pink hue and a hint of gold shimmer, then run to your local Walgreens and pick up this inexpensive blush!  You won't regret it!  It's been my go-to blush all spring and summer - similar to this, but in my opinion, better!

9- E.L.F Blush Brush
This is marketed as a powder brush, and I'm sure it's great for that too, but this is actually what I apply my blush with!  Just dab and then blend the color out and you're good to go!  It just picks up and deposits the perfect amount of color. I love the E.L.F professional brush line, and they are all $3 and less!  

10- NARS Lipstick "Heat Wave"
Ahhh, this color is summer perfection.  I admit I am more of a "safe" lipstick wearer with balm, nude or light pink shades as my go-to colors.  BUT this color is amazing and so beautiful.  I think summer is the perfect time to go for a bold lip - a little bronzer, some mascara, and this lipstick would look amazing!  Especially on vacation or with a little bit of a tan!  (I'm using this self-tanner right now, and I'm loving it!) 


11- Essie Nail Polish "Bikini So Teeny"
Oooh, this color is the best!  I love it on my fingernails, and I always get compliments on it wherever I go!  It's a beautiful periwinkle color, and again looks great with a tan for summer!  Go out and get this color! 


Any of these summer favorites you want to try?
What is a summer fave of yours?

Happy 18 Months!

Dear Baby Boy,
For some reason I'm having a harder time with you turning 18 months than I did on your first birthday!  It's like you're becoming a boy now, and pretty soon you'll be two years old!  How is time flying so fast?  We must be having a lot of fun!  ;)

You have just the sweetest personality!  You can still be shy and nervous around strangers and out in public, but you continue to open up and try new things as the months go on.  At home, you are a ball of energy and love playing with your puzzles, train set, and the magnets on the fridge. You also love playing with mixing bowls and stirring all kinds of yummy "ingredients" (like blocks and legos) inside!  Running around the house and playing chase and peek-a-boo with Daddy is one of your favorite things to do.  During the day, Mommy loves to take you to the playground or pool, and watch you play.  You love the slide, and have no fear in the water!  You are a little fish!



Things you like:

Bathtime!
Trucks
Trains "Choo Choos"
Music and dancing
Waffles, strawberries, yogurt, smoothies, and cheese
Swimming at the pool or ocean
Climbing on top of Daddy
 Blowing your nose
Cuddling with Mama
Playing the in sand
Waving "Hi" and "Bye"







Things you don't like:

Getting dressed
Diaper changes
Getting into carseat
When the food runs out
Getting out of the bath
Diaper rashes - we've had some rough ones lately! (Tips?)




Words you like to say:

Up, More, Off, Dada, Mama, Mimi, Papa, Gigi, No, Yes, Uh-Oh, Choo Choo, Beep Beep,
Car, Truck, Milk, Cheese, Bubbles, Bath, Puzzle, Pool, Bye-Bye, Beach, Banana ("nana"), Night-Night

Teeth: 6
Naps: 1 nap a day from 11 to 2, usually
Sleep: 7:30pm - 7:00am
Weight: 22lbs











We love you so much buddy! And we can't wait to see you as a big brother in October!
What a blessing you have been and continue to be in our lives!

Lately - Girl's Beach Trip and Father's Day

When John and I decided to make the big move to New Jersey three years ago, I honestly had no idea that going to the beach would be a part of our summer!  I have been pleasantly surprised though, and we have loved taking trips here and there to the Shore, which is about an hour away from our house.  

Don't get me wrong, it's no Pensacola Beach (where I grew up), and I still can't get into the water yet, brrrrrrrrr, but it's a beach!  Andrew is having a ball this year, because he can actually play in the sand and the water!  It's like a whole new experience for him!

After having Andrew, I found an amazing group of moms with babies right around his age, and they immediately became my friends and family right here in Princeton.  I feel so lucky and blessed to have gotten to know them, and they have stretched me and shaped me as a parent and as a woman. 

A couple weeks ago, we packed up the babies (and chairs, and coolers, and beach toys, and snacks, and umbrellas, and chairs, and blankets, and sunscreen -it's a lot more work when there are kids involved!) and headed to the beach for the day!  It was perfect - sea breeze, salty air, not too hot, and so relaxing! The kids had a blast, and us moms even got to put our feet up for a little bit!  

Here are a few pics from the day!

We really had such an amazing time!  So much so, that we are going back again this week!  

Love these girls, their babies, and spending the summer with them!

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Now, enough of the girls, and on to the BOYS!

This weekend was Father's Day!

I want to wish a Happy belated Father's Day to my wonderful Dad, who has shaped me, molded me, encouraged me, loved me, and been there for me through every adventure I've had. I truly could not ask for a better Dad, and watching him become a Grandpa has been just the biggest blessing in the world.  Dad - thank you for being my cheerleader, my rock, and someone I've been able to look up to all my life.  You are incredible.  

Also Happy Father's Day to John's dad, my father-in-law.  He has been a wonderful example to John over the years, and we both have learned so much about life, love, and Jesus through him.  

I am so grateful for marrying into such an amazing family who has embraced me as one of their own children.  Thank you Sadlows, for everything you do for us, and for loving us so well.  We look up to you with so much pride, respect, and joy. 

And to my dear Husband, my soulmate and best friend. 

The world just makes so much more sense with you by my side.  You are the biggest blessing in my life, and I pinch myself everyday, thanking God for picking me to be your wife. 

What a ride we've been on together!

Thank you for your loyalty to your family, for putting us first, and for making us laugh every single day.  You are a reflection of Christ's love and faithfulness, and the way you hold our family together is incredible.  I love you, and I know our babies (!) will grow up adoring you just as much as I do.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend of celebration!

Baby #2 - Weeks 16 through 18

I think doing these Baby #2 updates is working really well when I do them 3 weeks at a time!  I really can't seem to blog every week, so this will just be the way I'm going to do it!  

It's been a good month and a lot has happened - 

here's a peek at my bumps, and my weekly reports: 

How far along? 16 weeks

Baby Size: Baby is the size of an avocado.

Total weight gain/loss: I'm finally up a few pounds now that my nausea meds are working!

Maternity clothes? I'm embracing the maternity shorts and jeans!  Most tops and dresses are just my regular clothes.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: Sleeping great! Mostly on my side this week.

Best moment this week: Finding out the gender!

Miss Anything? Sushi and Jersey Mikes Subs.

Movement: Not yet.

Food cravings: Peanut butter and chocolate 

Anything making you queasy or sick: My meds are helping so much - thankful!

Have you started to show yet: Yep! There's a bump there.

Gender: GIRL!

Labor Signs: Nope 

Belly Button in or out? In.

Wedding rings on or off? On! 

Mood? Happy to finally having some relief from throwing up, thankful!

Looking forward to:  Our gender reveal party this weekend!

How far along? 17 weeks

Baby Size: Baby is the size of a turnip.

Total weight gain/loss: I'm up a pound or two this week!

Maternity clothes? Still loving maternity shorts and jeans!  And wearing my old dresses is the most comfortable right now. 

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: Sleeping good! I start on my side, but I wake up on my back all the time.

Best moment this week: My gender reveal party and announcing our baby GIRL!

Miss Anything? Deli meat and summery cocktails!

Movement: There has been a flutter or two I think.

Food cravings: Peanut butter, bananas, granola.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope! My meds are still helping so much!

Have you started to show yet: Oh yeah.

Gender: GIRL!

Labor Signs: Nope 

Belly Button in or out? In.

Wedding rings on or off? On! 

Mood? So excited it's a girl!  Giddy.

Looking forward to:  Shopping for a baby girl :-)

How far along? 18 weeks

Baby Size: Baby is the size of a sweet potato.

Total weight gain/loss: Oh lawdy, I got another stomach bug, and I lost 3 pounds.

Maternity clothes? These jeans are my fave!  And sweatpants.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: Sleeping pretty good! 

Best moment this week: 2 Memorial Day cookouts with great friends!

Miss Anything? I'd really love a margarita.

Movement: Yes!  First movement on May 28. Amazing!

Food cravings: Pizza.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Got a 36 hour stomach bug this week- awful.

Have you started to show yet: Yup.

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: Nope 

Belly Button in or out? In.

Wedding rings on or off? On! 

Mood? Really hoping my sickness is over for good, I was feeling so great lately!

Looking forward to:  Gaining some weight back and feeling baby girl move more!