Feelin' Green

happy (belated) st. patrick's day!
hope you're all having a fabulous week - wore your green yesterday, and didn't get pinched :)  
we spent our Monday resting up from a busy weekend, staying in our pajamas all day, 
and eating lots of guac and chips...
hey, we had to get in the green spirit!

in celebration of the holiday, here's a little treat of all things green :)  


top//maxi dress//boots//sheath dress//small earrings//
mini bag//wallet//large earrings//sunglasses

I've actually always loved wearing pops of shades of green -especially kelly green and mint :)  and I absolutely LOVE my forest green hunter boots (pictured above)!  

cheers to a wonderful st. patrick's day!  
our weekend post coming up next!

(p.s. do you know why we celebrate st. patrick's day?  the British born Saint Patrick was actually kidnapped by Irish raiders, lived there, found God, and then returned to Ireland once free to preach the Gospel, convert the pagan Irish, and spread Christianity! 
what a great reminder of sharing the Good News to your enemies!)  

happy tuesday!

Work It Out

Ever since I got the "go ahead" to start working out post baby, I jumped right in.  And I also tried to jump right into my pre-baby sports bras and gym shorts.  That just wasn't happening.  So I treated myself to a bit of an exercise clothing shopping spree.  Not only could I now fit into my workout clothes, but I also was more motivated to actually do my workouts, now that I had some cute new gear :)

Am I the only one who gets motivated by a new pair of fun leggings?
Whatever works, right?

Here are a few of my new items (1, 3, 7, and 10), and others that are still on my wish list...

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8  - 9 - 10

P.S. John and I are doing the new p90x-3 workout DVD's.  They are only 30 minute exercises, and they are hard, but really fun!  Highly recommend.

Hope you're having a great Tuesday!  

Happy 2 Months!

Dear Baby Boy, 

You are two months old!  This past month, you have changed so much!  You love to smile, and it just is the cutest thing in the world.  Pretty soon, you'll be giggling too :)

You follow people and objects with your eyes, you stare at lamps and lights with a quiet fascination, and you seem to really love music.  Saturday mornings are the best - you love it when Daddy plays with you all day, and Mommy gets to nap!  Speaking of napping, you have been loving your Mamaroo, and you have been sleeping 6-8 hours at night in the bassinet!  Good job!

You finally love your baths!  And you HATE when we take you out to dry you off.  I dream of the days when you will splash all around and squirt your rubber ducky and just laugh and laugh.   

I know bath time will be so much fun.  

You had some visitors this month! 

Mimi came all the way from Florida, and we had the BEST week with her! 

She gave you lots of snuggles and rocked you to sleep.  She read you books, gave you baths, changed your diapers, and took just a few pictures ;)

Aunt Maria, Aunt Emilie, and Uncle Bernie also came to visit and they fell in love!  You were such a good baby, and let everyone cuddle with you.

Mommy's best friend, Aubrey came to visit from Nashville!  She got to see lots of smiles, and we had the best time together.  You had a super fun day with Daddy while Mommy and Aubrey had a girl's day out!  

It was the best month - and you are growing so much!  

You are 10 lbs 2 oz, and 22 inches long.  

You are becoming so expressive, especially with your sweet little eyebrows :)

We love you so much angel!  Thank you for bringing so much joy into our lives!

February faves

Happy March!

It's time for my monthly favorites!  And even though it was a short month, it was packed full with some incredible products and goodies.

So let's get started...up first Beauty :)

This Real Techniques sponge is the perfect dupe for the Beauty Blender sponge.  But costs a fraction of the price.  You can find it at your local Ulta. It does a great job of applying and blending liquid foundation and/or concealer.  I especially like to pair it with my Loreal Lumi foundation… it gives a dewy, yet almost airbrushed appearance to your skin. Love.

Speaking of foundation, this has been my go to for every day wear. It's a light to medium coverage, but can be built up for heavier coverage with a sponge or dense foundation brush. I really like the consistency, the pump dispenser, and the way it feels like you're not wearing make up at all. My all-time favorite tinted moisturizer, the Laura Mercier, can't be beat, but this is a pretty close and much cheaper alternative.

I just ordered this, so it's pretty new, but I did want to mention it in this favorites post. It's the light version of the famous and popular argan oil by Josie Maran. I got the mini bottle, just to give it a try, but I am loving it so far. I will most likely end up purchasing the larger bottle.  I like to use it before bed under my night cream moisturizer.  But this light formulation can also be worn under make up during the day. It gives a wonderful feeling to your skin, especially in these dryer months. Highly recommend.

I've really been trying to take better care of my skin lately, and this eye cream has been one of my favorites over the past few months.  I usually only use it at night, because it is quite thick. It's creamy, hydrating, and very luxurious. And a little goes a long way.

I haven't been wearing a lot of make up since having a baby, but when I do, I'm always reaching for these butter lip glosses. I have loved them over the past six months or so, but lately I've gotten a ton of wear out of them.  They are pigmented enough to wear alone, but also look great over nude or subtle lipsticks.  My favorite shades are Eclair and Tiramisu. Did I mention they smell like vanilla frosting? Yum.

Over the last month I have been especially loving some new food items. This peanut butter banana smoothie has been my go to breakfast lately.  It's creamy and delicious, and taste just like a milkshake. But, it is loaded with healthy and filling ingredients.

Peanut butter banana smoothie (adapted via)

Ingredients 

Heaping spoonful of creamy peanut butter 

2 scoops vanilla protein powder 

3/4 cup almond milk 

1 tbsp of Hazelnut coffee creamer

1 Banana

8 Ice cubes

Blend together, and enjoy!

A favorite snack item that John and I both have been loving are organic blue chips.  They only have a few ingredients and they taste delicious, especially paired with salsa and guacamole. Much better then the Fritos scoops or Doritos that can get me into trouble sometimes.

I've been loving grapefruit juice in the morning. Just a cup will do, and it's been known to help burn fat and boost energy levels first thing in the morning before breakfast. Florida natural is my favorite, but I also love the Simply grapefruit.

These Kind bars are my go to snack, post work out treat, or late night dessert. They are constantly in my purse or diaper bag and are the perfect pick me up. They taste delicious and are much healthier than a candy bar or other granola bars loaded with crazy ingredients. The peanut butter dark chocolate is by far my favorite.

And last but not least, my favorite clothing items for the past month (well besides pajamas).

This Victoria's Secret Sports Bra is amazing!  I've been starting workouts again, and let's just say, my pre-baby tops/bras just don't really fit like they did before.  I needed something with maximum support, that was comfortable and cushiony.  This one was pricey, but oh so worth it.  I absolutely love it.  

I haven't really been into wearing jeans lately, leggings have definitely been my bottoms of choice.  I was on the hunt for some perfect leggings, and not just any leggings.  I wanted those "suck-you-in, don't-budge, wide-waistband, hide-the-post-baby-belly leggings.  Ones that will also be great for long walks and workouts.  So when I found these Zella ones, and in this fun print, I had to have them!  I read tons of reviews, and read nothing but great things.  And I agree!  I have been LIVING in them (hence the name), and I can't wait to get more colors. 

What were your favorites from the month?  Any of mine that you want to try out?