Spring/Summer Feminine Outfit Inspo

Summer is coming and the weather around here is finally starting to cooperate. As in, it's above sixty most days and we've had more sun than ever lately! But, we're also in that weird transitional phase where the warm and cool air are mixing and causing lots of storms, particularly in the night... ugh. If there's one thing I hate about living in the Midwest it would be tornado season. We've had a few close calls in the home we're in now and, let's just say, I'm soooo thankful we have a basement and a place to go when we need to seek shelter. 

In other news, I've been looking for some new spring/summer tops and dresses lately and have been surprised by what I've been drawn to! This fun little wrap dress was a final sale find and I absolutely love it. The length and fit are perfect, it's fully lined and doesn't show what you want to keep covered (lol) and is easy to toss a jacket over if it's a bit chilly. Win, win, win. 

How many of you use a self tanner? What are your favorites/least favorites? I've used gradual tanning lotions for a few years now and, while they work, I feel like I barely get a "tan" before summer is over and then I'm just covering my legs up again.. In an effort to get that naturally tanned look a little earlier this year, I decided to do a little research and try a few early on. I started with a tanning cloth and, while the color was definitely there faster, like full color the next evening, it was way harder to apply evenly. So, I decided that wasn't really for me, unless I try again later after I get a good base tan. Instead, I've been applying a gradual tanner as a base, then using a spray tan over it. Working together I'm getting a great start to my summer tan and there's been no splotchiness or uneven color. And it seems to fade pretty evenly which is a big plus as well. I just apply three to four times a week, after showering. I apply my tanning lotion first, as evenly as possible, then the spray on top and let it dry while I finish doing my hair and makeup (with the bathroom door locked because, little boys and boundaries lol). Then I go about my day and that's it! Not much to it at all. And, it's a great alternative to exposing your skin to sun damage. Soooo, that's it! It's been a bit crazy over here lately and we are thankfully slowing down a bit this week (though we miss our Aunt Jamie and Uncle Jeremy SO MUCH).

How's your week been? Can you believe it's already Wednesday?!

| OUTFIT DETAILS |

dress | Entro (same style, similar print here)
sandals | target (LOVE them!)
purse | Time & Tru
earrings | Walmart (old, identical style here)
new fave self tanners >> here & here

Hair Tips + Spring Layering

Hey guys! I hope you've had a fantastic week so far! I talked on insta a bit about my hair care routine and how I've changed it up a TON in the last three weeks. Well, I am seeing some great benefits to that so, I thought I'd share what I'm doing!

To preface, I'll start with what I USED to do. I used to wash my hair daily, regardless as to whether we were going somewhere or not. I hated the feeling of dirty, greasy hair and just didn't like to use dry shampoo too often. Looking back, I'm really not sure why that was.. Anyhoo, I used heat on my hair a LOT and never used anything to protect it from damage. I've never colored my hair so it's pretty healthy, I've just begun noticing some split ends and a bit of slowing in growth. So, that got me to thinking about switching up my routine and trying to promote health in my hair along with shaving some time and effort off of my daily routine. 

Which brings me to where I am now. My weekly routine is as follows :

Sunday - Day 1, wash day. I use TRESemme' HEAT TAMER spray on my hair while it's damp after washing. Then, with a pick, I comb through it easily and then use my EcoTools Air Dryer Brush that I LOVE. I blow dry my hair while using a roller brush at my roots and ends to smooth it and give it some lift. After blow drying, I spray it again with the TRESemme' HEAT TAMER before I straighten or curl. After I have it styled the way I want, I use TRESemme' TRES TWO Spray and go about my day. My style is set and I don't have to worry about restraightening or curling at all.

Monday - Day 2, Usually Monday is our day at home to catch up on housework and just chill so, I do nothing to my hair on these days. I'll usually pull it back into a pony or braids just to keep it out of my face. I also don't brush it too often, three times a day max. 

Tuesday - Day 3, Usually we're at home this day too but, if we do have plans to go anywhere I'll spritz a bit of Heat Tamer onto the ends and top before straightening the top and then either finish straightening it again or add some/touch up curls, whichever is easier for that day. Once I have it styled the way I like, I spray some dry shampoo onto my roots, work it through gently with my fingertips and then, after a few minutes, lightly brush it through. I also usually don't have to use much hairspray after day one because it holds the style so well. 

Wednesday - Day 4, We have Bible Study and errands in town so I'll do a repeat of the steps from Tuesday. Heat tamer, straighten the top, then curl it with my Remington Pro 1-1 1/2 inch Curling Wand. I do it in layers (bottom to top) and it makes it curl so much more evenly. Afterward I'll spray lightly with dry shampoo and then comb it through gently with a comb or brush to even it out. Again, I don't need much hairspray because of the product already in it. 

Thursday - Day 5, sometimes we have our homeschool co-op so I'll repeat Wednesday's routine which usually takes about 15-20 minutes, tops. If we're just at home though, I'll usually just comb it through and then put it in a couple of braids or a high bun.

Friday - Day 6, We don't usually have major plans on Fridays so, If we're at home I do nothing. If we're going somewhere I'll repeat my same routine from Wednesday, being cautious as not to use too much dry shampoo so I don't get a lot of residue showing in the top of my hair. Then sometimes I'll pull it up but, most of the time I can still get away with keeping it down. I like to pull one side back a bit so I'm not constantly running my fingers through it and that keeps the extra oil out of my hair but, also keeps residues and oils off my face, which is better for my skin. 

Saturday - Day 7, Same steps as the previous few days, Heat Tamer then, straighten the top then touch up curls (if I need to, which is rare by day 7) and then pin it back and go! No hairspray needed. If I notice that it's showing quite a bit of oil or dry shampoo, I'll use very minimal dry shampoo and then pull it back into an easy bun. Again, no hairspray needed today.

I sleep with it down for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday night, then in a top knot the rest of the week so it's not in the way while I sleep but the extra oils/product don't get on my pillow or face during the night. And, that's it! It may seem a little complicated at first glance but, seriously it's so easy and has just become habit the last couple of weeks. 

As far as shampoo goes, I usually bounce around between different brands but, my sister recently mentioned something to me about Lush Cosmetics Bar Shampoo and I really want to give it a try! Has anyone used it before? Pros and cons from your personal experience?

Have a wonderful week friends! I'll link everything I use below and let me know if you have any tips on growing long, healthy hair naturally! 

| OUTFIT DETAILS |

DRESS | TIME & TRU - WALMART
CARDIGAN | RUE 21 ( similar here + here)
ANKLE BOOTS | MAGNOLIA BOUTIQUE (old, similar here + LOVE these)
TIE CHOKER | WALMART
PURSE | similar here

| HAIR PRODUCTS |

TRESemme' HEAT TAMER SPRAY
DOVE DRY SHAMPOO
TRESemme' TRES TWO HAIRSPRAY
REMINGTON CURLING WAND
ECO TOOLS HAIR BRUSH
ROLLER BRUSH

Elevated Basics

Guys, I want to say thank you for taking the time to read the mumbo jumbo in my last post..(insert monkey covering face emoji here). Sometimes I really think we get so overloaded with all the junk that it inhibits our abilities for REAL. Mental or not, good grief, I needed to vent it. Somehow, typing it out and then leaving it here really REALLY helped me process it all better. So, thanks for listening.

I've felt like this weight was lifted off my shoulders the past couple of days and I just know part of it was prayer. Prayers from you guys, prayers from myself. Prayers from people I don't even realize are taking the time to pray for me daily. I'm so grateful. 

My boys and I had a really good morning (and afternoon) on Wednesday. Like, the best we've had in a long time. And while they were exceptionally well behaved. I know that my mood and the "vibes" I'm giving off really play a vital role in all of that. Just as babies pick up on our nervousness, anxiety and when we're feeling calm, so do our older kids. So, anyway, I say all that to say, keep that in mind when your day just seems "off". It could very well be you're stressing over things that really don't deserve your attention and that's rubbing off on those around you. Not always but, sometimes. 

On a lighter note, I wanted to share this outfit that I just loooove. It's so basic and yet not, all at the same time. Elevated basics are something I've become a bit of an expert at, especially when it comes to mama-ing. It helps so much to be able to go to my closet and just know that something will work together. Shaving off getting ready time in the morning can do SO MUCH for getting us out the door on time and without meltdowns. 

That's why I truly love this look. A basic striped dress with the perfect fit, a soft and cozy cardigan with puffy sleeves to add a little something different, a somewhat "trendy" take on the basic black boot and the perfect bag to round it all out. This look is me, to a T. Seriously, if I could wear this everyday I would. 

I also wanted to share with you guys my new FAVE lip gloss! It's Neutrogena HydroBoost in True Nude and it's the perrrrfect shade! I don't wear a ton of color on my lips, I just have a hard time committing to a bold lip color. But, this is def going to be on heavy rotation! I'm not wearing anything except the lip gloss. No need for primer or anything like that. It's that good.

Anyway, thanks again for reading and I hope you have a wonderful weekend! And maybe get yourself some new lip gloss ;)

| OUTFIT DETAILS |

STRIPED DRESS | Charlotte Russe (old, super cute version here)

OVERSIZED CARDIGAN | Rue 21 (sold out, very similar style here)

OTK BOOTS | Circus by Sam Edelman (found the exact style on Ebay here)

BAG | Steve Madden (thrifted, LOVE this one and similar style here)

NECKLACE | Lisa Leonard Designs (old, so  many gorgeous designs here)

Respite

Being a mama is so incredibly humbling, rewarding, draining, challenging and my life song all at the same time. Some days I seem to struggle to hold onto the happy, light hearted pieces of it and others, the joy comes so easily. Despite the ups and downs of child rearing, I absolutely adore it. It probably helps that I've been given the most awesome kids in the world but, that's just my opinion.

No matter how good things are or how much you're enjoying yourself (no matter what you're involved in), it's always a good idea to take a little breather every once in a while. I've heard it said before (sorry, I don't know the source) that "When you get tired, learn to rest. Not to quit.". Oh how closely that applies to motherhood. And, really, anything we are truly passionate about. 

I was recently invited to a Norwex party at my sister in-law's home. I had heard a little about it, everyone just raves about their products, but not a whole lot. I was interested enough to go though, plus I wanted a little mommy time ;) 

It was so great! I walked away wanting to buy everything in the catalog and really had to stifle the urge to spend, spend, spend. I ended up purchasing two different things (both of which I am SUPER excited about!) and decided to host a party of my own! I brought home a catalog to peruse with the hubby and we are both agreed that, if we can purge our home of unwanted chemicals (the little that I actually do use) and make it safer and, HELLO, cleaner! Then, why not do it! 

I am so excited to get my products in the mail and start using them so I can share my reviews with you guys! If all goes well, and they actually work the way they say, we'll be re-evaluating other areas we could use more of their products in to improve the health of our family as well. 

Guys, I looooove being with my kids. Like, they go everywhere with me. I'M NOT JOKING. We grocery shop together, clothes shop together, run errands together. If I'm going somewhere, more likely than not, they're tagging right along (and loving every second of it, I might add). But, it feels so so good to be able to do something on my own sometimes. Not real often, I'm way too attached for that. But, once or twice a month? Yea. And really, no matter what I end up doing for that time I have to myself, I always come home feeling refreshed and inspired to get right back at it. 

All that to say, "HELLO NORWEX! Where have you been all my life?!" but, also, take time to just do you. It doesn't have to be an expensive spa day or a shopping spree at the mall. It could literally be just an hour or two of conversation with a close friend while you enjoy a warm cup of tea or sharing thoughts while you walk the paved trail at your local park. Of course, it COULD be a solo trip to scour the sale racks OR a night spent in watching a movie with a bowl of ice cream the size of your face while wearing a set of cozy pajamas. Whatever floats your boat. :) Just do it. And, don't feel guilty about it either. The harder the hustle, the more deserved the rest. 

Happy weekend lovelies!! I hope it's full of family and fun and all the things you've been storing up for this past week. God bless!!

| OUTFIT DETAILS |

PEPLUM, BELL SLEEVE TOP | a.n.a (thrifted, more pretty options here + here)

DESTROYED DENIM | Almost Famous (old, similar here)

DOR'SAY FLATS | J. Crew (thrifted, New here + used from Poshmark here) 

FAUX FUR FOLD OVER CLUTCH | made by me (similar here + LOVE this one)

TASSEL EARRINGS | Walmart (similar here)

My 8 Fave Beauty Products Right Now

I've recently tried a couple of new beauty products to make my morning routine a little quicker + easier and I've been pleasantly surprised by how well they're working for me! I've never been one to spend hours layering on makeup and I really don't want to start now. But, I have always tried to do a semi-good job at covering blemishes and making myself feel more "put together".

One thing I've always struggled with, but have never really tried to remedy, is my eyebrows. I'm a pretty light blonde. Not super light but, nowhere close to being brunette. So, my eyebrows and lashes have always been fairly light as well. It's kind of a pain and so, recently, I've been looking for products to use that help define and make them stand out a bit more. I think I may have actually found a few things I love.

#1 Physician's Formula Feather Brow

Literally all you do is swipe it on and then highlight your brow line. That's it. I used to gel then powder my  brows to fill them in a bit. Not a ton, as you can tell from my outfit posts, I don't like them to be super dark or unnaturally thick. I just want them to be consistent and visible. This does the trick perfectly for me. I've been using it on days that I'm just at home as well to give myself a little self-esteem boost (and so I don't scare the UPS and Mail Carrier so much..). 

#2 Hard Candy Color Correct Expert Creme

My skin has been unusually touchy lately and that means (unfortunately) more breakouts than I'm used to having. (Maybe it's a getting older thing, maybe it's a post-nursing thing? I dunno..) I found this and decided to try it out and it works surprisingly well! The green is supposed to cancel out deep red and I've used it to cover some pretty embarrassing spots the past few months. All I do is dot it where needed, use a brush to smooth it out (not too much though) then cover with a normal nude correcting concealer and bam. Done. I usually use it as a beginning step in my makeup routine and then, sometimes I'll dot again at the end if my brushes have smoothed it a bit too much. 

#3 Almay Smart Shade Pressed Powder

This is a great, easy to apply and blend pressed powder and I love how natural it looks. It's not heavy but it controls oil well also. Perfect for my just, unordinary skin situation right now. But, I'll probably continue using it in the future as well! I used to use Flower brand powder foundation and, while I really loved it, it seemed like it didn't always last very long, depending on what I was doing. This is great in that respect. 

#4 Flower Daily Brightening Undereye Cover Cream

I love this stuff. I've been using it for a few months now and it's just now about time to replace it. Just one swipe under your eye gives you a good amount and, after a little blending with a brush, provides cover and concealer for those dark undereye circles all day. I usually blend it in and then swipe the brush on my eyelids for a little extra coverage there as well. 

#5 Maybelline Nudes Eyeshadow

This is the perfect color palette for seriously any look. I use the third from the left, top row and second from the right, top row as my everyday shades and add the second from the right, bottom row to highlight my brow/upper lid. It's very natural looking but, again, gives me that feeling of "put togetherness" I need to keep my feeling great about myself. Love this.

#6 Rimmel London Sculpting Palette

I recently purchased this and I love how it looks after being applied. I don't do any heavy sculpting/contouring, still yet, I've been very happy with the results of using this. I apply a light layer of 2 on my cheek bone, around my forehead, on the sides of my nose and under my jaw line. Really, a light layer. Then I brush some of 3 on the sides of my cheeks and highlight with number 1 on the tops of my cheeks, top of my nose (swipe down the front) and my chin. Simple and makes a nice impact on the shape of my face.

#7 Physician's Formula Powder Palette Bronzer

Lastly, this is my favorite bronzer right now. I bought it just before our trip to Hawaii to make getting ready a little easier while there and it does the trick. I just brush a little on my cheeks and I'm good to go. I don't use it often, if I'm using the contour palette above then I forgo this step. But, if I want to get together quickly (in the morning before hunting, on days I'm just staying home..) then I use this and I'm set. It gives me a little color and helps me feel less, blah. lol

#8 Eco Tools Makeup Brushes

Also, these are my favorite makeup brushes. I use the second largest to blend my concealer, the largest I use for contouring/blush/bronzer, and the small flat one I use to blend in my eyeliner when it feels a bit too sharp. Love these brushes and they're so soft on my skin. 

So, anyway, those are my most recent beauty picks and I use them all so often. If you're on the lookout for something new to try or just aren't happy with your current routine, I hope you'll find something useful here. Have a very blessed week and I hope you're making lots of headway on your Christmas shopping lists! Only about THREE weeks left!!

Healthy Summer Snacking

Being a  mom of four boys, all nine and under with one of them still nursing, it seems like I am going non-stop. I mean NON-stop. We always have somewhere to be, something to do, someone to see, something to clean up or something to look forward to. Busyness is a constant in our lives and it's taken me a while but, I'm finally figuring out how to just go with it. Another perk (??) of being a  mom of four littles (and that I'm still nursing) is being hungry pretty much twenty-four/seven. With all of that rushing around, calories get burned and energy starts to be lacking. That's why I'm always on the lookout for quick, easy, healthy snack alternatives. Not just for my boys though, for me too! Because, if I'm being honest, my boys don't have a regular snack time. On days that we don't have a lot going on and they're just playing inside and being pretty low-key, they typically don't ask for a snack. They're usually so caught up in their imaginative play that they don't even realize how quickly the time passes and, before they know it, it's meal time again. Me, on the other hand, I have to eat every three to four hours. I'm talking, HAVE to. If I don't, scary things happen. LOL Seriously though, since becoming pregnant with my first baby and learning all about the benefits of drinking tons of water and eating small amounts of healthy food at regular intervals, I am allllllways thirsty and hungry. I need that extra boost of protein in the middle of my day (and morning and before bed at night) to keep me going, I just do. Add in a good, calorie blasting workout to my morning and I'm ravenous by lunch time. No, really, ask my kids..

With all of that being said, I thought I'd share a recipe I was recently introduced to by a friend via Pinterest and have not stopped making since. It's THAT good. And quick! It's called Peanut Butter Energy Bites and you can find the recipe from Chef Savvy here. They're made up of five easy ingredients you probably have in your pantry anyway and only take about thirty minutes from start to finish.

The first time I attempted these protein bites (late last week), I made one batch according to the recipe, substituting chai seeds for flax because that's what I had on hand. I actually ran the half cup of seeds through my food processor before adding them to the other ingredients thinking it would give them more of a "ground" consistency. Totally not the case and, turns out, completely unnecessary. None of my family minded the taste and crunchiness of the seeds one bit. So, the second time making them (ahem..this afternoon), I left them whole. And made a double batch because, yea, they're that good. The instructions also say that you get twelve protein bites out of one recipe. I got around 25 the first time I made them and closer to fifty this time around. I made the balls smaller when I rolled them and they turned out to be the perfect size to grab a couple at a time, for Glen and I, and give to the boys for a snack as well. I also discovered that I like the taste of them a smidge better after they've been refrigerated a bit. They're still sooooo good, don't get me wrong but, fresh out of the fridge? Yum.

These also make a great on-the-go breakfast or late night snack. I've actually had them in place of my nightly bowl of ice cream which is saying a LOT. If you know me at all, you know that mama likes her ice cream. And, I'm hard pressed to keep right along with that habit. Haha. But, I  have to admit, these fill that void nicely when I'm feeling the need to be a tad healthier some days. (Which isn't very often..ha) None the less, give them a try and you never know, you may love them! Also, can you tell the boys were excited for me to make them today?! ;)

Peanut Butter Protein Bites by Chef Savvy

I used natural peanut butter, organic honey we purchase locally and tried to consistently fill a large spoon when scooping them to roll. That way I could keep the size more uniform. I hope all of these tips help you make a yummy treat of your own and please, share any healthy snack/meal recipes you have with me in the comments! I'm also excited to try another recipe I found for a chocolate version and one to make your own chewy granola bars! Bring on summa!! 

White Out + Evolving Hairstyles

Lace Sleeve Top | similar here + here

Cozy Scarf | similar here

Distressed Denim | Maurices

Jeweled Flats | Ninewest (thrifted but I love these + these)

Purse | similar

Has everybody heard the phrase "short hair, don't care"? Yes? As a person with short hair I'd like to say that although most days I probably can identify with that, some days I just don't. That's when I miss my long hair like craazzzy and ask myself a million times over why, oh why, did I ever cut it. . .

It's been just over a year since my long pixie cut and my hair is finally grown out enough to attempt a few different hairstyles. Most of the time it's still blowdryed with a curling brush or styled into loose waves but, sometimes I can actually get it to stay up. For a family day this past weekend I decided to try a loose bun with second day hair. It worked so well and lasted long into the evening. I started with slight curls from the day before so I straightened out some of the hair close to my face and around the bottom of my hairline. I moved my part over a little more than usual and used TRESemme Fresh Start Volumizing Dry Shampoo to get rid of any extra oil and add a little more texture and volume. Then I teased the back and sides in layers and very lightly combed the top before tying it into a low pony tail. I teased the hair hanging out of pony a little to give it more volume and then used a Goody brand clear elastic to roll it into a bun. What little hair that was trying to pop out, I pinned in and under the bun with some Goody blonde bobbies so they'd be less noticeable. Then I just pulled up a little on the hair on  my crown and around the top of my head and let a few wisps fall out around my face before spraying it well with TRESemme TRES TWO Extra Hold Hairspray. Good to go and time approved by my hubby and little boys.

We had unusually warm temps that day so I also decided to switch up my momiform just a smidge. I went with this pretty lace detail top, a cozy scarf, some comfy, distressed boyfriend denim and a feminine flat to override a little of the grunge. A combination I've not ever really tried before but, ultimately loved. Turns out white on white on white can be super soothing and do major things for all the stress we accumulate throughout the week. Sometimes a day full of simplicity and doing what you love, with the ones that make it all worth it, is just what a momma needs.

See more hairstyle inspo for short and long hair on my pinterest board here.