Plaid for Fall // Whitney Wears {a fashion blog hop}

Last month Becky, Beth, Meghan and I got together to do a fashion collaboration on how to style our utility vests. We all had so much fun that we are back again with another blog hop and this month we are sharing ways on how to wear plaid! Affiliate links used. A small commission may be received if you purchase an item through my links. Thank you for supporting my blog!

This plaid top  has my heart forever. The colors! The length! If it was self-ironing, I'd buy stock in it ;) I hope the layering doesn't get old because you know that's how I do! I took this look straight from last month (notice the vest).

plaid top// jeggings (old GAP) // TOMS

I'm going to chalk this up to "mom brain"/bad blogger/really liking this combination, because this is the outfit I wore for my preschool class pictures! I just layered my go-to sweater over my plaid and added my favorite boots.

jeggings (black version) // boots

I wore this outfit to the pumpkin patch and forgot to take a close up but this time I played up the golden tones in the plaid top and added my mustard scarf and I kept it unbuttoned.

infinity scarf (similar) // white layering tank // gray jeggings (old)// boots (similar)

Nail polish // sunglasses

And this last look is a bit more dressy and would be a great Date Nite outfit. Of course, when I asked Brian what he thought about it he wasn't very enthusiastic ;) I layered the plaid over my favorite LuLaRoe Amelia dress.

TOMS

Now check out these fabulous ladies to see how they styled plaid for Fall!

Becky

Meghan 

Beth

Linking up here.

   

   

Festive Muddy Buddies plus Christmas Cash Giveaway!

Muddy Buddies. 

Puppy Chow. 

Whatever you call these chocolate, sweet goodies, they are delicious!

Confession: this is my first time ever making Muddy Buddies. I don't know why it's taken me so long but now that I have this definitely won't be my last. I've swapped out the peanut butter for Cookie butter, because why not? And added some fall-hued M&Ms and sprinkles for a festive kick. 

print recipe

Festive Muddy Buddies

by Whitney Smith November-15-2016

A yummy twist on the classic Muddy Buddies recipe.

Ingredients

• 9 cups Chex cereal
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup cookie butter
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup M&Ms

Instructions

1. measure out 9 cups of Chex cereal into a large bowl and set aside
2. In a microwaveable bowl add the chocolate chips, cookie butter and butter and microwave for 1 minute. Stir and return to microwave for 30 seconds. 
3. Add vanilla extract to chocolate mixture and stir. Pour mixture over Chex cereal and mix gently.
4. Add chocolate cereal to a ziplock bag and add powdered sugar. Shake to coat and let cool. Add M&Ms or any other mix-ins. Enjoy!
5. Can be stored in a covered container in the fridge up to four days though they won't last that long. Just saying.

And now a little surprise!

I have teamed up with a bunch of my favorite ladies to bring you the Christmas Cash Giveaway! With the Holidays right around the corner, it's always nice to have a little extra spending money! One lucky winner will be $150 richer. Good luck! Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Giveaway runs from November 15th through November 22nd. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Another item off the list:

mug exchange//anniversary//hayride//photo challenge//pumpkin decorating//trick or treating//scarf exchange

Linking up here.

   

   

Whitney from Mama & Mister Blog {The Mommylogues Series}

I'm so happy that Whitney is guesting today! I "met" her through blogging when we were both pregnant with our seconds babes and I was so relieved to find someone to commiserate with ;) Gage and Brielana are about two weeks apart! A little lady recently joined the Family and they are all so cute! Enjoy Whitney's words of wisdom.

Hey Everyone! My name is Whitney and I blog over at Mama & Mister Blog. I am a Hairstylist turned SAHM and in addition to being a Wife, I am a mother to three blue eyed babes. Ryder is 4, Gage is 2 and Finley is 3 months old.

Being a Stay at Home Mom to three kids 4 and under is not an easy task...being a mother in general is not an easy task! It's taken some time to get a hang of this thing they call motherhood and I've compiled a list of tips and advice on being a happy and organized Stay at Home Mom {and just surviving motherhood in general.} Enjoy!

Get on a schedule and routine. Some families are not much into planning and scheduling but I have found that my family and I thrive on this. Scheduling even just your day to day routines can make for a more organized home, which means a happy family. Schedule wake up time, nap time, bath time, lunch time etc and make them a routine daily.  This makes for easy planning of things you need to do during the day like grocery shopping. No one wants to walk around the store with a kid throwing a  fit because they have missed their nap, am I right?? I will also schedule my week and plan activities, chores, meals and errands that need to be done each day of the week. Routines are key to a well rested, happy kid and schedule is my middle name.

Wake up before your kids. You guys...this has got to be my favorite advice I've ever received. Wake up early! Shower, get ready for the day, drink some coffee, read a book and have some alone quiet time. Obviously this doesn't happen every day in my house but I have noticed when I do get up before my kids it makes a world of a difference. Just try it! I live for my quiet mornings. Nighttime routines are busy and hectic, as soon as my head hits the pillow, I'm out! So getting up early gives you quiet, relaxed time to get prepared for the day. And if you don't get ready in the morning, as the day goes on, you probably won't get ready at all!

Connect & communicate with your spouse. This one is very important. Let your spouse know when you are overwhelmed, need help, or just need an adult conversation. Set aside time when the kids are asleep to just talk with your husband. And don't forget date night!

Get out of the house. Cabin fever is no joke, kids are climbing the walls and mom is ripping out her hair. Doing little activities out of the house will help save your sanity. Going for a walk, to the park, or just sitting on your front porch watching your kids play are just a few things you can do each day. With Winter approaching explore Pinterest for some activities you can do indoors that break up your day and that gives everyone a change of pace.

Have your own hobby. Schedule time for yourself and do what you love. Go for a run, do a craft, have a girls night, walk through Target in your sweats alone...whatever it is YOU like to do!  "You time" is so important.

Let your child play independently. For some reason this one was hard for me. If my baby was on the floor playing, I felt like I had to be playing with him too, at all times. It is good for kids to learn how to play by themselves, they will let you know when they need your attention.With that being said, this does not mean ignore your children all day long. Obviously they need your attention and bonding time. But it is okay to let them play by themselves while you get a few things done

Clean a little each day. The worst thing ever is walking down the stairs in the morning to a messy house! Seriously, ruins my day. Make it a part of your routine to clean a little each day. Have your kids help clean up their toys before bed, do dirty dishes, wipe counters etc. Nobody wants to wake up to that! Make a schedule at the beginning of the week of the cleaning that needs to be done each day and voila!  the weekend comes, the house is clean and you can enjoy yourself!

Have quiet time with your kids. Screaming kids running around all day can be a little nerve wracking. Taking time out from the day to sit with your kids to read a book, color, cuddle and have a conversation brings the stress level down and also lets you connect with your kids. For me, it also gives me a minute to remind myself just how blessed I am to have these little monsters in my life.

Now obviously this list is endless, and some people have different ways of how they do things. But through trial and error I have found these tips to be the most helpful for me and I hope it does the same for you.

Thanks for letting me take over Whitney's blog today! If you'd like to keep up with us you can find us on Instagram {@whitrichins} Facebook Twitter and of course our Blog.

xoxo

-Whitney

***

Archives:

My Journey to Motherhood {Introduction to The Mommylogues Series}

Amanda from Tickled Pink

Elizabeth from Chasin' Mason

Beth from Our Pretty Little Girls

Stephanie from Wife Mommy Me

Courtney of Sweet Turtle Soup

Danielle from Sparkles and Lattes

Aubrey of Aubrey Zaruba

Sarah from Seeing All Sides

Jess from Scott Family of Maine

Meghan of The Adventure Starts Here

Liz from Ellie and Addie

Desiree from Macke Monologues

Amy of keepin' up with the Smiths

Jess of Secrets of a Stay At Home Mom

Sarah from Foxy's Domestic Side

Courtney from Shiraz in my Sippy Cup

Nina from The Joni Journey

Crystal from Hall Around Texas

Claire from Wedding in Central Park

Fun with KidloLand // A Review {plus a giveaway}

As an Early Childhood Educator I have a very strict personal guide when it comes to screen time; it has to have a purpose, it should be educational and it should also be fun. We don't use many apps but one I can vouch for wholeheartedly is KidloLand! 

KidloLand is an interactive app that shares thousands of songs, nursery rhymes, stories, games and educational activities catered to children 0-5 years old. When I write "interactive" I really mean it- Kinsey will literally touch everything on the screen just to get a reaction! She is almost more engaged in finding the "easter eggs" than she is having a story read to her (which we all know is one of her very favorite things #booknerds)

I'm pretty confident that Kinsey could spend every day playing this app and have a different experience each time. In her own words, "It's great! It has games, it's fun to have it. I like the songs, it has Cinderella on it." The song Lavender Blue is sung by Lily James in the live-action Cinderella, you know, "hey dilly-dilly" and when Kinsey realized it is was the same song she nearly flipped her lid! 

And bless Brielana's heart, she just hasn't been able to get her mitts on this yet (can we say little sister problems?) But she loves to watch as Kinsey is in control. One of these days she'll have the reigns all to herself.

KidloLand is available for download on these devices:

iOS (KidloLand) // Google Play Store (Nursery Rhymes For Kids) // Amazon Appstore (KidloLand)

I'm happy to share that KidloLand has generously offered three (3) month subscriptions for my readers so you can share the educational fun with your babes! Enter using the Rafflecopter below. Giveaway runs from Thursday, November 10th through Monday, November 28th. Open Worldwide. Three winners will be notified via email. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to KidloLand for sponsoring this post. We were given a 6-month subscription in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own, except when they were Kinsey's ;)

Linking up here.

   

   

Kinsey Behind the Blog {November}

It's another round of questions for my leading lady. She was in good humor this month if you can't tell by her answers.

What are three things you are thankful for?
Kinsey: Uh, three? I'm thankful for taking things to the office. I'm thankful for being good. And I'm thankful for being Star Student. 
Clearly she has school on the brain ;)

What is your favorite food served at Thanksgiving dinner?

Kinsey: Chicken!
Me: It's turkey though.
Kinsey: Turkey!

If you could be president for the day, what would you do?

Kinsey: Nothing.
HA!

How many feathers does a Turkey have?

Kinsey: 10. 

Who is your favorite relative to see during the holidays?
Kinsey: Brie.
Me: Awwwwwe.

Linking up with Beth, Crystal, Jess, Meghan and Stephanie