Fail Proof New Years Eve

I wrote this for a guest post last year for Pam. I figured I could share it this year.
 

 Now that Christmas is over we have one more big holiday to look forward to... New Years! This year I have some pretty grandeois plans {last year I was very pregnant and very grouchy whomp whomp}. I thought that yall would give yall my three *fail proof* tips to a great New Years Eve!

1) Wear a major statement piece

-This doesnt necessarily have to be jewelry. You can wear bold heels or a sparkly dress, just make sure you have on something that pops. And most importantly something that you feel GREAT wearing. Wherever you go you are bound to be surrounded by glitter and sequins, it will most likely look like a disco ball expoloded, so stand out in your own way.

2) Find the perfect location

-Your perfect location could be anything from a crowded nightclub to your own comfy couch. As long as you have a relaxed environment and good company it doesnt matter where you countdown to midnight! This year

3) Have Fun

-Sounds pretty dumb right? I find that I usually put huge expectations on New Years Eve and it's always a bit of a let down. So now my only expectation is to have fun! If that's your only goal then your night is bound to be a success.

And what New Years is complete without a fun cocktail? So I wanted to share my favorite festive drink.

Cranberry Bliss
1/3 cup champagne
1/4 cup vodka
1/2 cup cranberry juice

Shake and enjoy!


ps- This is totally not my image. I have poor photography skills so I turned to my trusty google to make it look as appealing as it tastes.

Good Things Come to Those That Hustle

Tomorrow starts a crazy busy week for me, like insane.  So in honor of my fab hustle I framed this little gem for my desk. Just for work I have five meetings in three days. Great for business, not so good for my eating and sleeping habits. Plus I have two doctors appointments, a play date for BK, S has big project at work and will likely be pulling a 70 hour work week, a family beach day, the Cox cable guy is coming so we will finally have reliable internet and a Pure Barre workshop. Needless to say I am needing to micromanage about every second of this week, so I treated myself to a super fun little planner. I'm super excited about it, and really isnt it adorable?

Since we knew that our week was going to be pretty wild we wanted to really enjoy our weekend. And that we did. There was a long family walk and along the way BK fell asleep in her little car.

There was a girl's night out for me on Friday. Though we aren't sharing any photos from that night for plausible deniability. There was a date night for the hubs and I, which included the movies + shopping + fantastic sushi + too many drinks with friends we havent seen in far too long + possibly getting kicked out asked very nicely to leave an establishment due to dancing on tables.

And at the end of it all we got home and someone woke up to eat some cheesy fiesta potatoes with mama and dada before an amazing snuggle session. 

Now I have to straighten the house because I know I wont be doing much of it the next few days, cook some yummy salmon for dinner, and relax with a good book while the baby finishes her nap. 

How do y'all survive and unwind from a super busy week? 

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As You Wish...

Monday was an amazing day. Hands down one of my favorite days as of recent. I got to go to D.C. for work, my new job, my dream job, my job as a wedding and event coordinator. It was SO amazing to go and be surrounded by like-minded individuals that are as passionate about the same topic as you are. I felt like I was walking on air the whole time, and I think I took one million pages of notes. I cannot wait to share and implement what I learned.

I have been working for As You Wish but I just haven't felt fully comfortable discussing it until now. I literally landed my dream job, and honestly I have been afraid someone would pinch me and I would wake up. I have the opportunity to learn and grown under the most amazing woman {she is phenomenal at what she does y'all, not to mention balancing a family (did I mention she has three children, two of which are twins) and a social life}. She is super woman and she has the most pure heart. I am so blessed to have fallen into this situation. We have had a very, very busy summer, and things are just going to pick up to for fall. I also have my first blog post going up for the company tomorrow, so I would love some support!.

I am beyond excited. I mean I have been lucky enough to have my dreams come true three fold now, Stephen + Brooklyn + this amazing job with Julie.

Also, it is August?! Whattttt?

Don't forget to enter to win $50 to Walgreens and some amazing products by Dr. Smith's. 

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The Thing About Parenting...

You know, you read eight million books while you're pregnant + ask all of your mommy friends for advice so that by the time your sweet peanut comes into the world you think you're super prepared. Too bad you were wrong. The thing they don't tell you about parenting is that really you are undergoing more vigorous activities than Olympic athletes. No really, parenting legitimately should be an Olympic sport. Let me give you some examples why.
1} You give up sleep. Like for 18 years. Even if you're blessed with an angel baby in the sleeping department, guaranteed you will never sleep as well as you previously did. In the early days its out of fear/nerves. When you reach toddler-Dom it's because after the little one goes to sleep you have to be productive and REclean the house that your wildabeast destroyed all day or anything else you had high hopes of doing during waking hours. I'm not even going to breach teenage years, I know how bad I was so I am bound to suffer through some hellacious years with BK.
2} You get way more physical activity than you used to pre-baby ( even if you don't go to the gym anymore). I am constantly on the go with BK. For one, she has the attention span on a peanut so we are constantly changing activities. For two, she has the ferocity of a hurricane and creates similar paths of destruction that I continuously run around trying to clean up. Lastly, when IF you eat it is usually a much more wholesome meal. I cook better for BK. Toddler eating is a fight of its own, but on the days that she does eat I have to be sure to get the best food possible in her. Therefore you eat better too.
3} Changing a diaper 100% should be an Olympic sport. Once your child surpasses the age of four months they no longer lay sweetly and coo at you while you change their diaper very easily in about 30 seconds. They start kicking + bucking + rolling + arching, pretty much doing anything that makes it impossible for you to smoothly and efficiently change a diaper. You're forced to resort to extreme tactics. Bribery works well. The "evil eye" is hit and miss. Sometimes i enlist extra help so i dont get hit by a flailing limb. But at least once a month, at least in the summertime, you have to add in he dreaded diaper cream to equation. It's cold, it's thick, and its messy. Sounds fun right? It's not. Well not until I was introduce to Dr. Smith's Diaper Ointment. It has been our saving grace this summer, especially with all of our time on the go. We keep one in the swim/beach bag and one in the diaper bag. I highly recommend it!
And now Dr. smith's is available nationwide at Walgreen's stores, and you have the chance to celebrate their new venture! You can win a $50 Walgreen's gift card and a supply of diaper rash cream! Just enter using he widget below. You won't regret it!

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4} Children make EVERYTHING better. Literally everything. Though things may take more planning, the joy you get in return is SO worth it. I have never been happier. And hey, winning an Olympic medal must come in pretty damn close to parenthood.

So tell me, what were you surprised to learn about parenthood?

This post was sponsored by Dr. Smith's but all thoughts are my own.

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Dinner Party Details

Tonight is a very exciting night... We're having our first party of the summer. Yes I realize that summer is almost over, but S was gone for most of May and June so July has really been summer for us. It is also going to be my very first night away from BK {say some prayers that this mama can make it}. I thought in honor of our dinner party I would share my five favorite things. 

dinner party basis

1}. Mason Jars. I'm loving them right now. They're not only the perfect party cup, but you can also use them as vases and candle holders. Tonight we're using them as water jars and popping in fancy paper straws.
2} Burlap. It's e.v.e.r.y.where! I picked up some polka dot printed burlap and made a table runner and napkin rings. Inexpensive and super fun.
3} Color on your tablescape is a MUST. Tonight we have pink, navy, and orange. Its very boho chic and I'm really liking it.
4} Cocktails. Every good party has a good mix. I picked up a few bottles of Traders Joes brand two buck chuck and of course we have a hearty mix of beers.
5} Lighting. I love finding creative ways to bring in lighting. We transformed BK's playroom into our dinner party room and there are christmas lights all over the ceiling. It's so fun, and I think they'll stay forever.

What are your dinner party tips and tricks? I'd love to hear.




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It's All About the Balance

Hey, hey, hey! I am ashamed at my lack of blogging lately, but I am also not going to lie I have been thoroughly enjoying our summer. S is finally back from all of his work travel, I got myself a little part-time j.o.b. {that I love}, we got family pictures taken, BK is walking all over and a 100% toddler that is into everything, we took a mini trip to the OBX, and it is hot as hades here. We spend most of our days at the beach, meals are usually cooked outside, the inside of our home often looks like a tornado hit it, and we have just been making the most of our time together.

I do need to be better though, I need to allow a little more time that is just about me. I miss writing, writing is such an escape for me and it truly brings me so much joy. So I'm determined to find the balance.

How do y'all do it? When is your designated "blogging time"?


And because no post should go without pictures...

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These Are My Confessions

It's time to play a little catch-up, so I thought I would it of the confessional variety. It's always a little more fun that way.

-My husband comes home on Sunday. I plan on sending BK to the babysitter for a few solid hours on Monday night and locking S in the bedroom. It's been a long three weeks.

-I started reading Bared to You. {See above confession}

-We started researching preschools for BK. Very exciting and emotional time for mama

-BK loves festivals, especially the music, and is already dressing the part. Check out that flower headband. Coachella 2022 watch out!

-I have been stealing BK's headbands on the regular lately. It is wayy to hot to have my five pounds of hair down, and at least I accessorize my doodoo bun/topknot. 

 -Busch Gardens is BK's new favorite place on Earth. I mean look at that face.

 -Her beauty still stuns me on a daily basis. {Not so "new" news, I know}

 -Sassy Sunshine is rather bossy to all the other kids on the playground. Especially when they are bigger, and faster than her (i.e. most of them). She doesnt understand why she can't keep up and they wont stay with her.

-We had a few sleepovers with our best pals, and these girls are just the cutest, sweetest things ever. Vivi is a year older than BK and calls her "my baby", and the way BK says Genevieve is just about the cutest thing in the world. I am so blessed to have friends like these.

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Back to {Pre}School...

My baby went to school today y'all! It was only a trial, and it was only for about three hours, but SHE WENT TO SCHOOL!!! How is she old enough for this? I cannot even believe that a mere 16 months ago she was a tiny, five pound, perfect little baby, and now here she is a walking, talking, amazingly happy, ray of sunshine. That.is.old.enough.for.school! I feel old. Is that normal? The only tears that were shed were on my behalf, and when I called (I only allowed myself one phone call don't worry) they said that she was just the hit of the classroom. Little sassy sunshine got along with everyone and had the time of her life.

She even brought home her first artwork. Bestillmyheart. I die!

And here is us when I picked her up! You know, us bloggers, have to document every little thing! 

Now I have to find her a lunchbox and school stuff. Any suggestions on great little monogram places?

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Strawberry Papaya Margarita Escape

Since S is gone for work the baby and I are pretty much siamese twins lately, and while she is my very best friend and my mini me, we both bask in the time that we are in the company of others. She is such a social baby, and having her cooped up in the house all day seeing no one but me for days on end is definitely not her idea of a good time. So we've been doing fun things: trips to the park, trips to the splash pad, beach visits, lunch dates, and even a slumber party with our best friends.

But on those days where it is just the two of us, and rain or 100 degree temperatures keep us trapped in doors, this mama needs an escape. Now it's not like I can hop in the car and head to the beach for a cocktail, but I do create my own mini oasis. I don my favorite pajamas, head downstairs, light some candles, fire up the DVR, and make myself an adult beverage. It is my own little oasis.

While at Whole Foods a last weekend I saw a tub of lime and papaya. I had never had papaya but I figured I would branch out and try something new. *Side note- papaya is not super yummy just by itself*. But I had to figure out something to do with it, so I created a delicious margarita.

Strawberry Papaya Margarita
1 peeled papaya (I assume thats how much was in a small Whole Foods tub)
2 limes (just the juice)
6 strawberries
1 cup lemon-limeaid (I use Califa brand)
handful of ice cubes
1/2 cup tequilla

Add the papaya, lime, strawberries, lemon-limeaid, and ice to a blender. Puree until smooth. Pour mixture into your glass and add tequila. Top off with an extra splash of the lemon-limeaid to get drink to your preferred consistency. It is delicious y'all, I promise!




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Do NOT Sext your father in law...

My husband has been gone for nine days. Now don't get me wrong, to many, many admirable couples, nine days of separation is nothing. I mean really its the equivalent of  a Spring Break vacation with a hangover on either side.

However to me. To me it's long, it's cold, and its damn lonely. I have a teething toddler damnit! And she's getting molars at that. So there are my excuses and this is the result.... I SEXT my father in law. Yes you read that right. Now go say a prayer for me. No really, do it.

This is a snippet of what my phone book looks like. I thought I was being "grown and mature" just using everyone's first and last names, whelp obviously I need to be a little less mature and embrace nicknames more.

See how I could accidentally send a text mentioning solo shower activities to the man above my husband? His name is right above, and damn that autotext prediction. I mean i guess better to him than a girl that babysat for us maybe twice. Especially when I'd already begun said "solo activities" and they would be best performed without the phone.

Well damn me and my need for speed. I waited nine days before taking matters into my own hands {literally}. Nine more minutes of carefully placed texting wouldn't have killed anything, though those few short minutes did manage to destroy my pride.

I died. Part of me died right there.

So now that I've learned that "sexting" is out, any ideas on how to keep the spice alive in my relationship? Buehler? Anyone? Anyone?




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Perfect Summer Picnic

There are 12 more days until Stephen gets home. Don't worry I'm not counting down hours and minutes... yet. But I am planning {many, many} dates for his return. One that I am super excited about is a picnic. I just bought our family a membership to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, and while the baby girl and I are making super use of the children's splash pad during the day, I cannot wait to have a super romantic evening there with the hubs. I have it all planned out, down to my outfit. Though I had to get creative with the menu because S doesnt eat sandwiches. 

summer date by tinymrsh featuring kate spade bags

What do y'all pack for picnics?

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Love is love

Dear Baby-

This summer has been just magical so far. You have grown and blossomed, your personality has just exploded. One trait that I have noticed that you most definitely got from me is the way that you love. You love fiercely and with abandon, you love with your whole tiny soul and you do not hold back. Kisses come freely and your hugs are so tight and sweet, you dole them out to anyone and everyone whether it is mommy and daddy or a random child at the park. It makes me so proud to see how sweet of a girl you are. But I also worry, because I know that with that much love to give comes so many extra chances at heart break. I pray that you never, ever have your tender heart broken. I will do anything in my power to keep your heart as safe as possible, but I know that you also have to live and take your own chances.

Since I cannot promise you that you will never experience heartbreak, I can promise you this Brooklyn Grace. I promise that you are free to love and cherish whomever you please. You may love a man or a woman. You may love someone who is black, white, purple, or any other color of the rainbow. I don't care if they are from ten or ten thousand miles away. I don't care if they are a lawyer, a teacher, or the trash man. Every one on this Earth is deservant of love, and whoever is so blessed to win your heart will most definitely win ours. Love in our family has absolutely no limits or boundaries, so please never fear bringing someone you love home to your mama and daddy. I promise that they will be welcome with open arms. {Though daddy doesn't plan on you dating until you are 28 he will be receptive none the less}. We don't expect them to be perfect, or for y'all to never fight. Sometimes relationships are not easy, every one experiences growing pains. All that we ask of them is that they love you as fiercely and passionately as you deserve. That they respect you, that they are two hundred percent devoted to you, that they make you laugh, that they want to go on adventures with you, and most of all that they make you happy. Because that is what every parent wants for their child above all, their happiness.

I love you so much Brooklyn Grace. Thank you for letting me be your mama.


Also - *Single parenting* is freaking hard. Serious props to all those single parents out there. Whether it's military spouses holding down the home front or just a solo parent situation, you rock! Brooklyn is seriously keeping me on my toes with Stephen gone, throw in some molars coming in and welcome to my shit show, and by the time that she lays down all I want to do is grab the bottle of wine and lose brain cells to trashy tv. So my whole return to blogging thing did not go as well as I would've hoped last week, but I'm trying and thats what counts right?!




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I Love Bloglovin linkup

Y'all I am bound and determined to be back to regularly scheduled blogging this week, and what better way to kick it off than to get to co-host the I love Bloglovin linkup! Be sure to join!

In order to help bloggers transition away from GFC as the main way to follow blogs, Northern Belle Diaries and Postcards from Rachel have teamed up to host I Love Bloglovin'.

Now, let's get this party started!

Have an image of yourself ready so we have your pretty face to look at!

<a href="http://www.northernbellediaries.com"><img border="0" src="http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y469/NBelleCreations/IheartBloglovin_zps92408d43.png" width="200"/></a>

 Dont forget to enter my Product Farm giveaway! 

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I'm back and bigger than ever

Hello again! So so happy to be back y'all. Life has just been really eventful, and to be honest I havent wanted to miss a second of it. Sometimes it's good to unplug, don't you agree? I promise to update on all of the wonderful things that life has thrown our way lately, but first I want to kick off my return with a bang. How would you like to win a Vino2Go XL or a Brew2Go? I get to give away both! One person will win the Vino2Go and one will win the Brew2Go in the colors of their choice.

I know y'all have read about my love of the Vino2Go before, and now it is back and even bigger than ever. The Vino2Go XL holds 12oz opposed to 8 and still comes in all of the fabulous colors.

But now, the amazing people at The Product Farm have also created the Brew2Go. Stephen was so excited when I gave this to him, and he has happily toted his sippy cup all around. He can't wait to use it at the Blake Shelton concert next month. They really are fantastic.

Enter below to win of the two for yourself! {obviously I felt the need to share my love of The Product Farm for all to see on Instagram}

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This is a sponsored post. All thoughts are my own. 

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Twice as Posh

Hey fashionable mamas!This is for you.BK is always dressed to the nines {she is my greatest assessory after all}, she definitely has a much better wardrobe than myself. I dress her like the little diva that she is, everything in her closet is something that I would wear myself. I dress her to be cohesive with mine and Stephen's style. Dressing little ones to be little divas or studs can get really expensive. So what if there was a place you could go to find fashionable baby or kids clothing in one place? At lower prices?So Kaitlyn & I teamed up to create something super fantastic.
And, Twice As Posh was born.I wanted to create a marketplace of posh, chic baby and children's clothing.(I may have created this idea out of purely selfish desires...)Twice As Posh is a place for you to buy and sell fashionable kids clothing.The cool thing is, is that it will be run completely through a central instagram account.Anyone can buy from Twice As Posh!If you want to sell items, all you have to do is email me to get approved. Once approved, you will have the password to the Instagram account.The only requirements to buy or sell is that you must have your own personal instagram account and be able to use Paypal.When you want to sell something, you just snap a picture, include your personal instagram handle (so we know who is selling), and you're all set!Other mamas can comment when they want to buy something and then you deal with them directly. There is no catch, no fees and no middle man.I really just created this because I wanted there to be something out there like this - and now there is!So go follow @twiceasposh on Instagram and spread the word!If you are interested in being considered as a seller, please email me!

 

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The Great Abyss

Y'all I promise that I have not fallen off the face of the Earth. My Internet has gone kaputz and Verizon has yet to fix it. Boo.Hiss. So all of my interwebing has been done via my iPhone. 

I will be back tomorrow. Even if BK and I have to hole up in Starbucks for awhile tonight. 

Also, I am working on something really big and really fabulous with Kaitlyn over at Wifessionals.com So be on the look out for the debut of Twice as Posh soon! 

Samantha Styles Shoes

Hi Brooklyn State of Mind friends! My name is Samantha and I blog over at Hooah and Hiccups!

Brandi is sweet enough to let me say hi today and..ask for your help and votes!! A few months back, Onlineshoes.com contacted me in regards to a Blogger Styling Contest! Of course, I was ALL over it!

How it works: myself and three other bloggers each received the same pair of shoes. We were all told to style it our own way and then the public would be voting on who styled the pair of shoes the best!

So here's how I styled them! 

The Naya Shoes are absolutely adorable! Not to mention they're super comfortable and perfect for shorts and a tee, a maxi dress, or really any casual look you want to pair them with. My Bubba Bear has been giving me a run for my money recently and these shoes are comfortable enough for me to chase him around! 

I also love that they are made using eco-friendly materials; cork, bamboo and chrome-free leather are among the materials used. 

So now I need your help!! These shoes are totally down my fashion alley and I hope that you love how I styled them; enough so that you'll vote for me to win!

Want to win a pair too? You can enter to win a pair on the voting page after you VOTE (preferably for me :))

So please, vote here! Leave me a little comment if you voted... I want to thank each and every one of you for your support and help! Love you ALL!

In case you missed it... VOTE HERE!

 

 





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