Amazon Favorite Finds

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I’m sure everyone loves their Amazon accounts, but I also love seeing what everyone buys!! I’ve found some great deals and sometimes forget that I can easily purchase items online and have it there in 2 days.  I have to say my favorite use for Amazon is when we vacation! Last summer I ordered a box of pull-ups and a big thing of wipes down to SC when my mom got married.  It was so convenient! Granted, I’m super pumped to not be spending money on those any more, but it’s the simplicity of that, right?!

I figured I’d share a few of my favorite/current Amazon Purchases just in case you may find them helpful too!

Him:

Core Water – My husband strives to drink 2 of these waters a day.  Having Crohn’s he is always trying to stay hydrated and get in extra electrolytes etc.  This is basically the only water he drinks, so it must be darn good!  I do drink it occasionally, but it’s a little pricey and I don’t mind my Brita water.  The other plus is that the cap is a cup, so he likes to let the kids drink out of that if they’re thirsty.  No slobber and no spills! #winning

White tees – A guy staple right?  I thought these were good quality and an even better price.  He wears a v-neck tee daily and those things tend to wear out quickly.

Me:

Rose Gold/Marble Phone Case – I’ve gotten a ton of compliments on this fab phone case! I hate buying new ones, but this price ($11.99 PLUS a coupon!!) I couldn’t beat it. Plus it’s pink, pretty and my old one fell apart, so this was a good buy!

Dandy Blend –   So I think I’ve mentioned a few times that I can’t drink coffee because of my reflux.  Well, I stumbled upon this Dandelion brew and you guys, it’s amazing! Sometimes you just want that coffee flavor/feel and tea just doesn’t do it.  Apparently you can cut coffee and go to this without any symptoms but I can’t verify that.  I can say that it’s tasty and I have been enjoying with some NutPods creamer.  It is excellent iced too! Dandelion is wonderful for your liver as well.

Collagen Peptides – My knees/joints seem to get sore and achy more often.  I guess I’m getting old or something, but regardless, I try to slip this into my tea, smoothies or dandy blend. It has no taste and it’s supposed to be so good for you. I have a Matcha Peach flavor too, but this can go in anything due to the no flavor.

Workout Top (Lululemon dupe) – There’s an extra 5% coupon on this too! I did see fellow instagrammers wearing this and it’s definitely worth a share and the buy! It’s so cute; I got the black and I love the tie back with the mesh.  Fun, sporty and makes me feel a little like a bad ass when I’m at the gym. I got a small. (I’m 5’7 currently 140 lbs) It comes in different colors and is only $15.99!! Washes well, and I hang dry.

Off Shoulder Romper – Again I saw a few bloggers with this and my friend Ann scooped one up as well.  It’s the perfect thing to throw on and road trip in, or even travel by plane!  It’s comfy and all you need are cute sandals, a pair of statement earrings and clutch to look totally put together with zero effort!

Dry Shampoo –  I have tried super expensive dry shampoos and I still come back to this brand. I love that I can order it on Amazon and save money, plus not walk into an Ulta and spend all my money on more makeup I don’t need.  I find that I can get a day or two extra in between washings because this stuff is so good.

Kids:

Bubble gun – these were actually a gift to our friends’ kids, and they loved them!  Their daughter turned 3 and she just loved it! They tend to sell these for more money at fairs, carnivals etc and so they just brought the one we gifted so they didn’t have to buy one when we all attended a festival not too long ago.  Can’t go wrong with bubbles as gifts for kids!

Tie Dye Chalk – This was a gift as well, but I just thought it was cute add on for Summer.  There’s nothing better than kids chalk drawings and this was a fun extra with the tie-dye element.

Dance Costume Bag  – I dragged my feet on buying this and I don’t know why.  With clear pockets, a lot of them, and everything zippered up, this is a MUST have for any Dance mom!  I finally grabbed one for her rehearsal/recital and it was so nice to see everything clearly when we scramble to change from costume to costume.  It held her shoes, tights, costumes, makeup and bows.  Total game changer; now I need one of those racks to hang everything on!

Thermos- I only wish I bought this sooner! Brooke doesn’t love sandwiches, though she will eat them.  She does love leftover pastas, macaroni and other warm lunches, so this was honestly the best purchase for her! She says that it keeps her meatballs warm just like out of the oven! I know in the Summer months this isn’t going to be popular, but mamas, grab one for Fall!!

What are your favorite Amazon buys? I would love to know!

Mindset Matters

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It’s Friday beautiful friends!!

The sun is shining.

Hubby is at the land with Bailey girl.

I’m sitting on our back deck doing what makes my heart happy: writing.

Baby girl is at school, learning and having fun on her “Culture Day” and I’m allowing baby boy tablet time while I feed my soul.

It’s not easy, this whole self-care thing.  We have been so engrained to work, push, hustle, care for others, put everyone else first, bla bla bla bla. But friends, YOU MATTER.  Every time I see another mama doing some self-care I just wanna jump through the screen and hug her.  Yes girl.  Be a queen.  Meditate. Enjoy that glass of wine.  Do some yoga. Read that book.  Lay in the sun.  Relish in the massage.  Take that workout class. High five!!!  It’s amazing at how much more you can provide to the rest of the world after you’ve taken care of you.

I’ve been very attuned lately with the universe and the quiet messages it’s sending me.  This week is of course all about gratitude, but also just a little bit more. 

I was once told it (in so many words) it’s amazing that I cook all that I do in my not so fancy kitchen.  And I get it.  I don’t have 10 foot ceilings, white cupboards, light grey walls, marble countertops and tons of island space, double ovens, Viking stoves– you get the picture.

However, what I do have is a passion for taking care of my loved ones and a love for creating delicious meals that fuel our bodies.  I love chopping, stirring, mixing, baking and of course eating! When I play Frank Sinatra, pour a glass of wine and get to cooking, it never feels like work. Sure, I would love a big new fancy kitchen with all the bells and whistles, and it’s certainly on my vision board, but the fact is I know to enjoy the now.

At my chiropractor appointment this week we talked about this.  I feel like he not only aligns my back/body properly but also my heart and mind!  (Is it just me, or do you really find some people with the BEST energy and wanting to surround yourself with them all of the time?!) Anyway, he lives in a modest home in a nice, but busy area, and has his practice in the home he resides in.  He went on and on to tell me how much he’d love a big fancy house, new this and new that, but it also felt really great to be in the financial spot he’s in.  His son is going off to college in the Fall and essentially they are debt free at the moment.

I say all this because we can all get caught up in wanting more, the best of the best, and being unhappy and unfulfilled with where we are in life and what we have.  Now I’m not saying to not dream big and crush some big old goals, but if you’re not enjoying what you have right now, or feeling gratefully abundant in all that you do have, maybe your mindset needs a little shift.  God will not give more to us if we aren’t ready.  If you find yourself looking left and right and feeling sorry for yourself, it’s time to take a step back and truly be happy for all the blessings in your life.

It ebbs and flows, and there are times I wish we already had our home built on our land with a swimming pool and all the fixings, but I have learned that we must time in the timing.  It will happen when it’s supposed to happen.  Life seems to be one big juggling act with so many moving parts; but beauty will always be in the silence.

The sticky hands of little ones who helped bake with you in your not so fancy kitchen.

The cuddles of your small dog on cold day.

The peace and tranquility of enjoying what makes your heart happy.

The tapping of your fingers on the keys of a laptop.

The birds chirping sweet songs.

The warmth of the sun and the cooling of the breeze.

The radiant colors of the potted flowers.

The smile from your significant other after a long hard day.

These moments are what make us.

So if you’re feeling a little off, make a list of things that bring you joy and take some time to check them off. Go volunteer, if that’s on your heart.  Go bake your friend some cookies.  Visit that grandparent.  Send your mom a sweet text.  Write. Read. Bathe. Whatever it is that you need to do, get grateful and work on getting your mindset right.

Hey there…

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Happy Thursday!!

Whew what a weekend last weekend and what a week this week! So many fun things friends! Joe’s cousin got married last Saturday at a gorgeous spot–it was actually the set of Biggest Loser! The grounds were quite muddy, so it made for lots of wet fun!  They have been together as long as Joe and I, so it was a beautiful ceremony filled with lots of love.

Brooke had her dance recital and she was just a doll! (Blog to come!)

I have been plowing along on my 14 Day Tastefully Simple Reset.  I have had ZERO grains, like NO rice, bread, pasta etc.  My carbs have been coming from fruits and veggies I suppose?! I am learning a whole lot and honestly haven’t missed bread yet!  I am really looking forward to a “Jenn style” breakfast tomorrow! I’ll be having soft boiled eggs, tomato and avocado!  I do miss my Starbucks and wine, but I’m surviving haha!

I also came down with a bit of a Spring cold; I was hoping it was just allergies but it’s just making its way through my chest, cough, sinuses, low energy, stuffy/runny nose, and plugged ears!  I’m hoping I’m on the tail end of it.  Good news is, I finished a book! #silverlining  It’s called The First Mistake and it comes out on June 11th! Such a good page turning Summer read.

This week in Life Coaching with Lindsay is a Bonus week, as we went really into depth with some of our bullet holes etc. so it’s a bit of a lighter load, which I am much appreciative.  I cannot stress enough to you, how much of an impact me taking the time to work on, heal, and invest this time and energy into myself has been.  I am able to give so much more of myself, my authentic self, and I cannot wait to see the people I get to serve in my future.  I still have a lot of work left to do, but this journey has been SO impactful on so many levels.  I feel the tides parting amongst people and things who no longer serve me.  I am feeling more spiritual as I continue to embrace the slowness, and conquer some of my inner mean girl feelings.  {You can still use the code JENN20 to get $20 off of the Life Luvers package fyi!!}

I took the time and finalized the kids’ summer camps.  Phew! That feels so good to have off my to do list.  I’ve got them trying out a sports sampler camp, a basketball camp, Brooke’s doing a pre-competition evaluation dance camp to see where she should be placed next year.  I also have my little guy going to the Y camp 2 different weeks.  (One is Superhero week, how cool!?) and Brooke’s got a week of camp through the town program, which is held at her school.  All the camps are half day or just an hour or so.  Nothing major, but enough to keep my love bugs busy and socialized! I am not gonna lie, I could have put them into longer/fuller sessions, but I am being a selfish mama and making sure we get enough time together at home or wherever else the Summer may take us!

Cheers (with my sparkling raspberry water) to this beautiful week.  I hope that no matter what you’re going through, you take some quiet time to reflect and appreciate the goodness in your life.  The universe has so many gifts to give; we just have to stop and listen.

Weekend Love

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Happy Memorial Day!

It was a gorgeous weekend here weather wise!  The 585 has finally broken its streak of rain and cold.  It may almost be June but we are so grateful that the sun has arrived and to get outside and feel its magical powers!

I hit up a Zumba class first thing Friday morning and then headed over to grab my niece for the weekend.  These three goofballs had SO much fun together and got along so nicely.

Joe had off so we took them to the Zoo (which Joe and I honestly don’t love seeing the animals caged up not living their in their natural habitats…but it is exciting to show the kids exotic animals.)

I have some exciting news to share too!  My friend Cathy with Tastefully Simple asked me (one of two!) people to do a 14 Day Reset Beta testing.  It’s a low carb meal plan and they provide all the recipes, snacks and menu plan!  I paid $150 for TS products (which I already know that I love!) and I will have to grocery shop for produce and meats etc.   I cannot wait to document and share my experience!

I took these three monkeys to the mall so that the girls could get matching outfits.  Of course they had just had lunch before we left, but were still HUNGRY for pretzels!

They also picked out a BFF necklace–do any of you remember these?! LOL

I felt a little bad because bubs wanted in on all the action, but as you may know, girls just have a special bond and secret handshakes.  I know he’ll have a buddy one day too, but he was always asking to be included and “take my picture too” it was so sweet.

In other news, my sister Brianna had her first Body Building competition!  She placed 3rd and although I couldn’t be there, I cheered her on in spirit! So proud of you girl!

The kids jumping for joy that Aunt Bri placed!

Saturday night I took some “do you time” in the kitchen.  I had my group coaching call and brought up one of my memories that had ‘bullet holes’ so it was important that I spent some time enjoying.  I’ll be sharing more on my bullet holes soon! Stay tuned!

I cooked up a bunch of veggies, peeled, sliced & roasted potatoes and had a pot roast in the crockpot.  I enjoyed some of my favorite (inexpensive) Pinto Grigio Cavitt and played some tunes.  The kitchen has always been my happy place and cooking/chopping/sautéing/stirring is always so therapeutic to me.

Joe got home from work and Brooke’s been practicing to ride her bike without training wheels.  She’s making it a bit of a distance before she tumbles, but I snapped this shot because it just makes me so happy.  Even though he’s still in his work clothes, he jumped right out of his truck to try and help her.  THIS is the man I married–ALL IN!  He doesn’t care that his nice Banana Republic clothes could get ruined.

We also had a little spa night!  I grabbed a few face masks and put them on the girls–Brooke thought it was the best thing ever!

Sunday we wore the Old Navy dresses! I actually scooped mine up last year, and the girls honestly picked theirs out first and I then said, I have one just like it! They were so excited to all match and it made for quite the photo!  We hit up The Revelry for Brunch.

How cute are they?

I told hubby we needed a selfie.

Again, Bradley wanting to be in on the action!

And what’s a #brunch without a mimosa? Just sayin.

Adri went home and we took a little Sunday drive.  The bay was a little cool, but it was so pretty out.

He’s always loved standing on rocks…

My sweet girl.  She actually got to feed them as some nice girls next to us had a big bag of bird seed/food to share.

Joe had to work all day Memorial Day but I enjoyed my time with the kiddos.  I had my coaching call in the morning (made sure to grab a Starbucks Latté so I could focus/recall alllll the bullet holes) and then we hit up a park, grocery store and did household chores.  Nothing crazy, and I felt rather depleted after recalling some ridiculous stuff I’ve been through.  We all have, I’m no different.  I’ll be opening up more on all that in the upcoming week, so if you’ve been feeling like learning more about the life coaching journey, stay tuned! I’m going to be as open and transparent as I can be!!

Have a beautiful week my friends.

Some Weekend Vibes

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Happy Monday!

The front flowers look so pretty and so does our little girl!  This Spring weather has been so wonky, but we are enjoying when we can.

This little guy found these sunnies in the $1 bin at Target.  So cute!

We stopped up at the local Mall to see Brooke’s artwork! She made this adorable zebra that was put on display.  We are so proud of her hard work.  She always tells us that she’s an artist.

The weather was actually decent enough to hit up the Lilac Festival with some friends.

If this girl isn’t living her best life, I dunno who is!!

She really REALLY enjoyed the cotton candy.  (The little bit we allowed!!)

I made sure to take some tea time and a chat with my mama over the weekend.

We also spent a little time at the land before the storm rolled through!

Brooke had gifted me a Sunflower plant for Mother’s Day that she planted at school.  Joe and I wanted to plant it at the land since there’s always sun, and our current house is rather shady.  We planted it on the hill and no joke within 5 minutes, the kids played on it and crushed it…so I’m not sure if it will grow?! Oy!

I will say this mama is OVER the hustle and bustle and cannot wait to build on this beautiful land!  There’s something so special about being in the country.  I could just watch my babies play all day long here.

Make a wish!