Little luxuries // self care to prepare for the New Year

This post is sponsored by Nakturnal. As always, all opinions are my own. Affiliate links used. Thank you for supporting my blog.

The week between Christmas and New Year is one of my favorite times of the year. It is a time where I reflect, renew and recharge; putting to bed Christmas, preparing for the New Year, getting myself into the right frame of mind. 

Bringing comfort at bedtime with stories // Why Do We Say Goodnight? {a book review}

This post is sponsored by New Growth Press. As always, all opinions are my own.

I have the firm belief that reading a book can solve any problem. And I would like to think that I am instilling that same belief into my children. Point in case (or is it case in point? I get confused) when Brielana started school we began noticing her reluctance to go to sleep and then it disrupting her morning wake up routine. Talk about a bad cycle. Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

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Finally got my scheduling down and was able to join in Anne's Currently link up, on time! I hope this sets the tone for the rest of the month because I need it 

Wrapping |

We do a book advent and I have yet to wrap any of our Christmas books!! I'm sorry, but with Thanksgiving being late this year combined with decorating for Christmas early (never again! Lol) I am completely confused and now behind.

Baking |

It's the second annual Sweets and Cookie Exchange at Cindy's house this Sunday and the girls and I are making Oreo fudge and baby cakes (which are actually cookies). I'll share the recipes in a recap post next week!

Lighting |

In an effort to root the true meaning of Christmas in our children's hearts, this is our second year of following Marty Machowski's Prepare Him Room and lighting a weekly advent wreath.

Sending |

As early as I got our Christmas cards printed, I have given out exactly one. Mailed those babies out yesterday and hoping they make their widespread destinations.

Enjoying |

The fact we are in school/work for three weeks until we're off for another two! I feel spoiled and yet crave that home time!

What are you celebrating this month?

  
   

Thoughts on Simplifying the Season // Blog Hop

This marks the second Christmas that we have been living in Arkansas. The second round of holidays I have been without my mom and gramma. Brian without his mom and stepdad. Is it weird I still feel untethered? For the sake of sounding like a baby, I have never not been around my family and it feels completely unnatural.

Kids Fall fashion with Moomooz

This post is sponsored by MooMooz. As always, all opinions are my own.

I like to think that I have an eye for cute clothes. I may dress like the most basic girl there is but my kid's clothes are next level. One new-to-us brand is MooMooz and guys, their wardrobe is fantastic!

Be Merry, Gift Clean // Beautycounter Holiday 2019

Happy Wednesday! Just popping in today to share the beautiful Holiday collection that Beautycounter released. There are brand new/exclusive scents and colors and sets that won't be available after the holidays! Don't miss out on some festive finds and feel good knowing your purchases are made with YOUR health in mind, first and foremost! Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Stitch Fix #9 // Birthday Fix

The 2nd was my birthday (34, if you're curious) so I decided to gift myself a Fix! This coupled with Fall being the best fashion I had double the motivation. As always I requested my girl Cass M and she worked her magic! Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

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No surprise that I missed Anne's Currently link up- Wednesdays tend to be Brian's day off so I'm utterly unprepared to post, apparently. Never mind I have this written a week in advance, sigh.

Merry Mail 2019// Our personalized Christmas cards from Basic Invite

This post is sponsored by Basic Invite. All opinions are my own. 

This year has been the earliest I have ever gotten my Christmas cards printed. Like, Who Am I right now? To say I'm impressed with myself is a huge understatement, haha. But I can't take all the credit (only the coordinating outfits, photo shoot location and bribes for smiling are on me) the real MVP is Basic Invite.

Maple Spice roasted pumpkin seeds

I have been a fan of roasted pumpkin seeds for as long as I can remember. But not just any old seeds, they 
have to come fresh out of a pumpkin that I carved. I will painstakingly comb through pumpkin guts, getting 
every last seed and then scrap the hallowed gourd clean. Nothing like being thorough.

Boss Babe Podcasts // Listen

I go through "phases" of my podcast listening and have been really digging into business-minded women entrepreneurs who give actionable steps. These Boss Babes are incredibly inspiring!

The Summer Book Report

I'm woefully behind with my book reviews so I hope this big drop won't be overdoing it. I wasn't a very productive reader over summer but I'm also throwing in my September reads and then we'll be all caught up! Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

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Hello, October! My favorite month consists of so many good things and the beginning of good things that I just can't contain my joy. Joining Anne for her Currently link up.

source

Welcome Back!

I took the month of September off and I am feeling refreshed and recharged and ready to get back to it! So how the heck are you?!

Clark turns two // Birthday invitations with Basic Invite

This post is sponsored by Basic Invite. All opinions are my own. 

In less than three weeks time my youngest babe will be turning two. I am baffled at this upcoming event. I still think about being pregnant with him and that was well over three years ago. Time and memory are an odd couple. Sentiments aside (and wishes of stopping time) I am in Birthday Party Planing Mode. Just because I can't stop time doesn't mean I can't celebrate its passage, right?

Book Swap Party

stacked books

Last Wednesday I had the pleasure of attending my first ever Book Swap Party! It is exactly as it sounds- guests bring some books, pile them on a table, browse at their leisure (or not if you want to get your first choice picks, haha) and leave with a new assortment of reads (however many you brought is what you take home.) It was such a hit there is already talks of another Swap come January!

Local Tourists // 8 Street Market

This post is sponsored by Pinkblush. I received product in exchange for my honest review. 

We took advantage of being out in Bentonville for some doctor appointments last week to stop by 8 Street Market and Bogle Park. Playing Tourists in our new State and surrounding cities has been so much fun!

DIY Soothing facial toner

Ugh, guys. I can't even begin to tell you how frustrated I've been over the last month. Due to the antibiotics and steroid shot from my bout of pneumonia running amok in my system, my skin has been suffering. Like, teenage-pizza-face-suffering. I won't even go into my GI issues but I read one round of antibiotics can impact the gut biome for over a year. I was on three different antibiotics. Let that sink in while I have a good cry. Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

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Happy July! What a busy, fun-filled month! We kicked off the month by celebrating Brielana's 5th Birthday AKA the Fourth of July and haven't recovered on sleep yet. I'm too late to join Anne for her monthly Currently link up but it was the perfect way to get back into blogging and its my only monthly marker so I feel obligated to document it for posterity's sake. Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Summer Style with Pinkblush // 1 piece, 4 ways {how to style a kimono}

Thanks to PinkBlush for sponsoring this post as always all opinions are my own. Some links will provide a monetary income for me without further expense to yourself. Thank you for supporting my blog! 

Let me preface this post with a little background story. I have wanted a kimono since forever. Like 2014, just-had-Brielana, forever. Pretty sure that was also the height of the kimono craze but I digress. It's been a long time coveted closet item and let me tell you, it's been totally worth the wait. 

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Oh June. As much as I love having the days at home with my kiddos, I just can't get behind the stifling heat, but that's enough of my negativity. I'm joining Anne for her Currently linkup and if you like to share fun, bite-sized pieces of your life, then you should too!

Kinsey's suit

Summer Skincare Staples

Are you ready for Summer?! I've been getting our gear together to enjoy those long, h o t days and lingering evenings spent outdoors. I thought I'd share my favorite safer beauty products specific to the summer months just in case you needed some inspiration! Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

My favorite natural cleaner {DIY}

When I "downsized" my cleaning products in favor of all natural and to reduce our exposure to toxic ingredients I ended up with a very pared down arsenal of supplies. Thankfully these basic pantry staples pull double duty by making cleaning easy and super affordable. As soon as I was well enough I cleaned everything with this simple mixture and rested well knowing the germs were eradicated and that my family wasn't subjected to harmful fumes and chemicals. Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Recovering from Pneumonia // a wellness update

I didn't realize how sick I was when I found myself sleeping all day on a Sunday two weeks ago. Having now just recovered from the worst sickness I've experienced thus far in my adult life, I can tell you taking my health for granted is now something I have a new perspective about! But I'm getting ahead of myself, let me back up and tell this tale from the beginning.

The Spring Book Report

I have not shared my book reviews in what feels like ages, my apologizes. Between Spring Break Family visit and the sickness plague that befell us, I'm just now catching up with life. In any case, here's a big book dump! Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Stitch Fix #8 Spring Refresh

Guys. My house has been under quarantine. Or at least it feels like it was. I had promised to share this amazing Fix last week but poor Kinsey had an ear infection and a cough that seriously wiped her out. Thankfully she is well again and so here I am! Thank you for bearing with me :)

Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Tiny Letters 419

I missed Kristin’s Little Letters link up last month and felt so out of sorts! Redeeming myself for April (though I am a few days late)! Oh, and I apologize for all the apologies, it was that kind of week.

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March went by entirely too fast! I suppose this is just how life goes from here on out. Joining Anne to share what we are currently up too!

Reunited and it feels so good // Spring Break 2019

Wow. What a whirlwind the last two weeks have been! I say that with reverence because we packed so much into a week’s span that I gave myself the other week to recuperate, haha.

As you know, my mom and gramma spent a week with us but as a surprise, Brian’s mom, step dad and brother and sister also came to visit! For two days, all our California family were here in Arkansas together! The irony is not lost on us.

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Compared to how s-l-o-w-l-y January passed by February absolutely flew! And now it's March!! I can't keep up anymore. Joining Anne for the monthly check-in that is sorta like my blog accountability partner ;) Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

I joined Beautycounter as an Independent Consultant // Here's WHY

Last week I took a huge leap of faith and said "yes" to becoming a Beautycounter Independent Consultant. I'm not one to jump blindly into anything so this may come as a surprise (I know it surprised me!) but sometimes taking action on something you believe wholeheartedly in isn't that big of a risk. Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

The February Book Report

For being such a short month, February was extremely busy over here (anyone else?) Between Kinsey’s Birthday party prep and celebration to starting a new job (more on that later!) I've only been able to read in random pockets of time for small stretches. Thankfully I have enjoyed the two books I was able to read! Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

Tiny Letters 219

Kristin's Little Letters link up is one of my favorite things to participate in but I am notorious for missing the link up day (Friday) because I am lazy. So here I am, days late but still as enthusiastic!

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It's f i n a l l y February! That meme about January being the longest year is too accurate. Joining Anne for her monthly Currently link up!

Work it Mommy Blog Questionnaire 2019

Happy Thursday! I'm just popping in to ask a favor- would you mind taking my Blog survey for 2019? 

The January Book Report

I have all five star rated books for you this month (how's that for starting the year off right?!) They are all women authors with big voices and ideas and I have loved every single page of each of these novels. Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Stitch Fix #7 {sweater weather}

As contemplated last Fix, I did request Cass M. and I am 100% positive she is my new go to. So I guess you can say its pretty serious between us now, haha. We are deep in Winter here so I was all about that sweater weather when I filled out my Notes. I wasn't disappointed either! It's also good to note that all but one was a new-to-me Brand which really gets me excited. Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links with no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Word of the Year 2019

Humble 

[huhm-buhl, uhm-]

adjective,  hum·bler, hum·blest.

1. not proud or arrogant; modest:
   to be humble although successful.

2. having a feeling of insignificance,inferiority, subservience, etc.:In the presence of so many world-famous writers I felt very humble.
3. low in rank, importance, status, quality,etc.; lowly:
   of humble origin; a humble home.

Tiny Letters // 119

It has been a hot minute since I joined Kristin in her Little Letters link up (where everything written is in the form of a tiny letter) but I am back (albeit three days late) and ready to dive right in! 

Mommy's favorite accessory // JORD watches

Sometimes it catches me by surprise, this whole motherhood role. Being a mom has always been my desire but sometimes I just can’t believe that I AM a mom. To three littles, perfect stair steps of roughly 3.5 years apart; girl, girl, boy. Sometimes that realization of the weight of my role is breathtaking; how did I get so lucky? How did I get here so fast? This post is sponsored by Jord but all opinions are my own.

Who, What, When, Where, Why // My Five W's of Blogging

Nothing like a fresh year to start with the (re)introductions. If you are new here, this is the 101 class, if you've been here awhile, think of it as the refresher course ;)  Here goes, my Who, What, When, Where and Why I blog.