A Look Back at August

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What a fun month we had!

I read quite a few books, Class Mom, It’s Not Your Money, Evie Drake Starts Over, Watching You, The Unhoneymooners, and Big Little Lies. (You can find all of these books in my Amazon Storefront!)

We were able to hit up the casino through a work incentive, and that was fun night out in a limo.

Our book club got together at Flight West.  We had delicious drinks and apps!

We had a fun double date with some friends.

My sister came over and we enjoyed a Sunday Funday while Joe mowed down the trails at the land.

We spent a lot of time at the land (like every Sunday!) walking the beautiful trails! It’s going to be like having our own park in our very own backyard.  20 acres is amazing!

Bradley enjoyed his weekly sports camp.  He loved Lacrosse!

Brooke earned a free book for Summer reading!

The kids spent a weekend with my sister, which meant a little time alone for me and another date night for hubby and I!

I finally got my hair done after two months–much needed.

I tried a few new recipes and some old ones, all of which I’d recommend!

Tuna Poke Bowl

Asian Chicken Skewers & Thai Noodles With Spicy Peanut Sauce

Egg Roll in a Bowl

And we used the heck out of our smoker/grill!  We are obsessed with bacon wrapped scallops & shrimp.

We also love getting a whole chicken that’s been cut, brining it and then smoking/grilling it.

Bradley had his Pre-K ice cream social.

I also spent some times working on routines.   I’m currently working on a weekly cleaning routine that the kids can help me with too!

We had a nice “back to school” dinner out last night.  These two love their daddy so much, and he loves them even more!

We will enjoy a nice family weekend coming up here for Labor Day and then we are ready to bring September on!

What was your favorite thing about August?

My Top 5 Makeup Must Haves

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There are so many amazing products out there, and goodness knows I’ve tried quite a few! These are my current favorites that I use on a daily basis.

Mac Prep & Primer – I tried this back in 2016 when we went to Las Vegas and I just love the smell! I also really enjoy that fresh spritz in the morning or halfway through the day.  I think that it gives me a fresh look and feel that I crave!

Eye Makeup Remover (Beauty Counter)- This was one of my first BC purchases and I did replace my Mary Kay eye makeup remover because of it!  Great price at $25 and great ingredients. I use a little cotton pad to remove the mascara/eye pencil residue and it’s awesome! (Good smell too!)

Nars- Blush in Orgasm.  I’ll be honest, I have had my eye on this one forever.  I couldn’t understand why everyone raved about it, so when I finally caved, I understood.  It’s not too much pink and it’s just enough color to make you look alive! I feel fancy wearing it too.

Younique Beachfront Bronzer- This is my favorite bronzer for date night and Summer days.  I don’t tend to use it (unless I have a spray tan) in the Winter because I feel like it’s too much for me for day time.  I love the way it gives a bit of a contour without actually knowing how to contour.  I’m excited to be using this soon on the daily!!

Becca Highlighter- Champagne Pop.  This was another one popping up all over in my instagram feed.  I hadn’t really been using a highlighter, but it does add a little something extra at the top of the cheeks, the cupid’s bow and around the face.  This one I find to be very subtle and a good one to try!

I took a photo of what they looked like too!

In order:

Highlighter

Blush

Bronzer

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What are some of your must haves?  I am currently on a mascara hunt! I just scooped up two new ones to try and I’ll report back after I give them a few goes.

Favorite Youtubers

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I do love me some Youtube!!

I find a ton of inspiration from here.  Whether it’s meal planning, parenting, cleaning, reading or working out, there are videos out there for everything.

I really started getting into Youtube when I was pregnant with my first baby.  I wanted to know all things about pregnancy and being a new mom.  It was so helpful!

Throughout the years my faves are still on my to watch list. Here are just a few!

 

 

 

 

 

My Favorite Season

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Well, this isn’t a hard one for anyone who knows me.

While there are many reasons I love living in upstate New York, one of them happens to be the changing of the seasons. There is something so beautiful as the leaves go from green to red, orange and yellow…as they crisp up and the ground freezes, and the grass becomes covered with snow.  The way the birds come back in early Spring and the buds appear on branches, and it finally gives way to the hot bright sun that is Summer.  I love that we experience all four seasons!

But if I must choose one, I have been and will always be in love with Summer.

The feeling that I get when I open the door and I take that first breath of hot sticky air.  The way the green grass grows to such high heights!  The feel of a soft Summer breeze unexpectedly.  The smell of sunscreen, burgers on the grill and a hot pavement.  It’s always going to be my favorite!  I love being able to not wear a million layers, come and go with ease and slowing down to savor the season.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the slowness of a cold Winter’s night.  All bundled up, cozy in a blanket, sipping hot cocoa by our fire…ok or some Merlot.

But Summer?  Late nights driving around with my love with the top of the corvette down are so fun.  Joe grilling dinner and then all of us piling into the truck to go find a place to watch the sunset–the beach.

Bare feet, wet hair, sandy messes piling everywhere.

Sticky fingers and faces full of ice cream.

The way my babies smell of sweet sweat.

Meals outdoors, long walks, chalk driveway drawings, bubbles, building sand castles.

Sitting in our garage with the smoker going and smelling the hickory do its thing.

Fireworks, family gatherings, outdoor fire pits and running around in the back fields.

No real bedtimes, no real place we have to be…

I’m already starting to miss all of it!  But that’s the beauty about the seasons; they are here, do their thing and then roll on by.  Fall is in full effect, rain will turn to snow and soon I’ll be playing Christmas carols.

I don’t hate anything about our weather, other than the true lack of sunshine, which of course is the biggest reason I love Summer.

That big ball of burning fire feels SO good on my bones.  I blame it on being a Leo, but there is something special about that sun and if I can’t have it all year, I’ll just have to go after it come those winter months.

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What is your favorite season?  What makes it so?

March Favorites

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Here we are in the beginning of April, so I figured I’d share a few my favorite things from last month!!  March is typically one of my least favorite months.  It’s SUPER long. STILL cold and just overall crazy!  This past March didn’t seem to stray too much from that!

#1 Favorite–

I would say the biggest favorite of the month of March was getting our puppy Bailey.  She is also the biggest adjustment and so much work!  She completes our crazy little family in ways I almost had forgotten about.  When we got Holly, we had Sadie.  For the last 3 years Holly has been an only dog, and honestly I haven’t been the best dog mom.  With two kids, 4 and under, life was nuts!  We are nuts for getting another fur ball, but we love her so much.  My husband and I laugh at how we will look back at these times and just shake our heads.  I need to make sure I keep blogging about all of this beautiful, messy, chaotic life of ours.

Accessories–

LOVE these Rose Chandeliers. Obsessed.  I think because it’s still freezing and grey outside, any pop of color helps beat these Winter blues.  I am all about the statement earring trend these days.  Toss on a black shirt, add a fun pair of earrings & bronzer and go!

Booties-

I ordered a pair from Jane.com but they did not fit.  My friend Shelby swore these pretties from Target were comfy and a must have! She was on the money.  I normally am a solid size 9, but she suggested I go down half a size and I did. 8.5 fits perfectly without any socks.  Score a pair here.

Drink:

This was even more amazing than I anticipated. Joe gave me this for my birthday and I was saving it for a celebration. We had a particular house that was, well, tricky to say the least, with our company, 585 Rent to Own.  I said back in the Summer, that when we sold said house, we’d pop this bottle. I’m not sure if it was the taste of sweet success, or just really good champs.  I’ll sip to both!

Hair:

Two things–One, a high pony.  If I’ve curled my hair (or even if not) I am loving throwing it up in a high pony tail.  I think it still looks chic, but effortless!

Dry Shampoo–

This is THE BOMB.  Seriously, I didn’t understand why girls swore by dry shampoo. I had tried a few different kinds and nothing really did much for me.  My friend Stephanie is a mama whose hair is gorgeous.  I had been wanting to try Monat for awhile and I am so glad I did! The scent of this alone is to die for.  I can go 3 days comfortably…I workout and I hate my hair smelling weird or funky, so I can’t go much over 3 days, unless I wear a hat! I will definitely be ordering more of this no doubt.

Quote:

My phone screen for the month.   I try to stay motivated/inspired and this quote stuck with me.  I find that if I change up my phone screen it helps! It’s not always easy to stay positive.  I had a goal this month for my S&D biz and I knew it wouldn’t happen by itself. I have to wake up and make efforts every single day, if I want my dreams to come true.

Podcast:

I love audiobooks, but sometimes I like a quick little something something to listen to.  I’ve been trying out different podcasts and THIS one speaks to my heart.  I could barely get through my workout because I was SO motivated. I wanted to get right down to work on our Rent to Own Real Estate business when I listened to her the other day.

Day:

As I mentioned, March tends to be a tricky month.  Since we were doing a whole lot of work and not a whole lot of playing, I pulled the plug on the last Friday of the month and made us go to the spa.  We got a couples massage and it was SO beneficial.  As much as we are all about the hustle, man you just need to pump the breaks a bit.  If you don’t take the time to step back, relax, rejuvenate and unwind, you’ll burn out and go crazy. During our quiet massages, we BOTH had experiences where we learned something.  Sometimes the best thing to do is sit in silence and let it work its way out. Running multiple businesses, raising kids, getting a new puppy & Joe working full time doesn’t really allow for much “quiet” time other than us passing out from exhaustion! This is something I will make us do more than once a year.

We didn’t even take the whole day ‘off’ but scheduling this time to feed our souls and physical bodies was worth every penny and moment.

Song:

We are getting ready for the disco, so naturally I am listening to that Pandora station!  It’s really hard to be in a bad mood when you’re listening to this.

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Superhero:

My son.  I was having a rough day and may have teared up a bit.  On one hand, I was mad at myself or letting him see me cry, but then the most beautiful thing happened.

“Don’t cry mommy, I am a super hero.  I can save you!”

My heart is still fluttering from hearing that; he’s a lot of work at 3, as most little tykes are.  I know that I’m doing a lot of things right when I hear and feel compassion like that.  Baby boy, your heart it so sincere.  I know you’re a tough little cookie, but your sweet heart is love. You radiate so much compassion. Stay this way always.

 

Tiny Dancer:

She marches to the beat of her own drum, this one.  It’s hard to tell her what to wear, as she has a style all her own.  She loves dance class, but does think ballet is a tad boring.  Tap is her favorite!  I told her to smile for a picture for daddy, this is what she gave me.  I can’t get over how tall she is!

Brookie, you have grown so much (and not just in height!) Since adding a puppy, you’ve shown so much patience and responsibility.  I thank God you’re so understanding and supportive.  I worry you’re a little too like mommy; I want you to have fun, be little and not try to grow up too fast! I love your creative soul and all the joy you bring to our lives.

Book—

I have read my 9th out of 52 books for 2018!  This was FANTASTIC!! I love Oprah.  It reminds me of my childhood, as my mother always watched her.  She is full of wisdom and interviews the best people; this book is life changing.  It has introduced me to new authors and I feel myself growing more spiritually and mentally.  I love that feeling.  Oprah reads it, so you’ll be soothed by her voice too!

Humor.

Laughter will get you through so much; lighten up, take risks and enjoy this crazy ride called life! It’s not always easy, in fact most days it’s downright freaking hard, but always worth it.  I just can’t choose that third row; I was born for the front row.