Uncategorized | Beauty and The Boys

April Glam Bag

April 20, 2015 - Leave a Comment

This month’s Ipsy Bag was my absolute favorite! I literally loved everything in it. Especially that perfume and bonus, my husband even loves how I smell when I have it on. #winning I even love the bag that everything came in!

1. Nude Dude. I love beautiful and bright eye shadow colors, but when I’m in a hurry to do my makeup, I just throw on some form of brown because it always looks gorgeous and this eye shadow is no different. I love the color and I’ll be using it often.

2. Starlooks Lip gloss. I really like this shade and something tells me that I’ll be rocking it a lot!

3. Jor’el Parker Femina. I am so in love with this perfume. I usually stick to my trusted Viva La Juicy, but I have found a new perfume that I love and that Hubby loves too.

4. Hikari Blush. I’m not really a big fan of blush, but this is such a pretty color that I might just try it out.

5. Last, but not least; Hey Honey – Good morning honey silk facial serum. I always apply some type of moisturizer before I put my makeup on for the day. I tried this out the other day and I love it. It goes on so smooth and left my face feeling so wonderful!

You can sign up to get your own ipsy glam bag for $10 a month here.

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Calling all prayer warriors #pinkninjasunite #addiestrong

January 20, 2015 - 1 Comment

I had a different post planned for today, but if there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life never goes quite according to plan. Unfortunately my sweet friend Stephanie knows that all too well, too. I “met” Stephanie through blogging a long time ago, I really don’t remember how, but we followed each other and exchanged a few comments here and there, scrolled through and liked each other’s instagram posts as most people do in blogging without really “knowing” someone, but it wasn’t until we wound up in the same blogging group on Facebook, that I really got to know Stephanie and that was when we became friends. We were even pregnant at the same time for a little bit. I had grown to adore Stephanie, she has one of the best personalities, a beautiful smile, and she is funny. She also has one of the best blogs. Even though we had started to become friends and more than just blogging acquaintances, tt wasn’t until we both became nicu moms though, that we became even closer. She had her daughter, sweet little Addie before I had the twins and I’ve followed their nicu journey from the start. One thing I came to realize about Stephanie, is that she is so incredibly strong. I looked up to her so much while the twins were in nicu and even though we were both busy with our barbies, we still made time to text each other to see how the other one was and to check in on each others babies. I would feel like my world was crumbling, that the pain was never going to get easier, and that they were never going to come home. Stephanie reminded me that the pain doesn’t get easier, we just learn to deal with it better. She reminded me that I could do this because I would look at her and Addie, who had been in nicu longer than the twins, and they were going strong. Stephanie inspired me during that time more than I think I ever let her know.

I remember the day Kade came home. I was over the moon and so excited to tell her about it. I knew Addie didn’t have much longer in the hospital and I figured her and Jax would be coming home about the same time. I was excited to tell her because I knew she would understand the happiness I felt because she knew what it was like to have a baby in nicu and I knew she would be happy for me and she was. She was so happy for me, but I remember how fast the smile on my face faded and how quick the tears slipped from my eyes as she told me Addie had to stay even longer. Regardless, Stephanie stayed strong, even with everything going on, she remained strong. When Jax finally came home and then wound up back in the hospital a week later, even with all of her worries with her daughter, she prayed for him, and I knew she was there if I needed her.

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Addie was supposed to be going home again soon. They were just waiting for some health insurance stuff to be finalized and I was so happy for her. I kept reading her status updates waiting for the day that she would post a picture of Addie in the carseat, ready to go. Last night though, I got on facebook, and was met with a teary eyed momma and her baby and a status update that read:

“I won’t lie. Today has been hard. Harder than almost any day we’ve had with Addie. The past few days we’ve known some things about Addie’s MRI but needed more info. Several things: 1) Addie has a subdural hematoma meaning there is a bleed outside her brain. It isn’t bleeding anymore, but the fluid is still there. 2) Addie has hydrocephalus meaning the ventricles in her brain have more fluid than they should 3) she has some scarring on a portion of the white matter of her brain. Tomorrow we will have a care conference (our 3rd) to determine how we will proceed in regards to surgeries. She still needs her balloon cath procedure so that is also of concern. Needless to say, conversations about taking Addie home changed to possibilities of Addie staying in the hospital indefinitely. Mathew took off and we have been crying, praying, crying some more, and praying some more. All I could do today was hold my sweet girl, tell her that God is with us and is here for us, and memorize every single feature of her face. It’s been a terrible day and I’m not sure what the future holds for us. Please continue to pray with us, wear your ‪#‎pinkninja‬ shirts tomorrow, and keep encouraging us. Each message of prayer and encouragement give us so much strength to keep on and we need yall right now. I’ll be updating everyone tomorrow when I can.”

I sunk to the floor right where I was and cried for her and I prayed harder than I ever have. I feel like we have all gotten to know Addie as Stephanie has shared her story with us and I’ve gotten close with her. I know most people don’t understand how a real friendship can be formed with someone they have never met, but it can. Just like the heartache I feel for Stephanie is very real. I’m asking you all, to please pray for Stephanie and her husband, they need the strength to get through this hard time and please pray for Addie, she needs God’s healing hands.

You can keep up with updates about Addie on Stephanie’s Blog, Facebook, or Instagram.

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My favorite posts from 2014

January 4, 2015 - Leave a Comment

I was not on my a-game in 2014 with my blog because of everything life through at me last year, but when I did make time to blog, I really made sure it was posts that I loved. I really enjoy looking back on the year and seeing how far I’ve come in blogging and the pictures I take. It’s so easy to forget that you’ve come far so making the time to look back so you can move forward is so important. 2014 was crazy and I wanted to share a round up of things that happened this year! Here we go!

January

- January started off with my word for the year. Fearless. I wanted to be fearless in so many areas of my life and I really need to do a recap of that post and share what I learned about myself during that Fearless stage. I also shared my goals for the year, I need to recap those too. Dammit, I’m going to do that soon! lol.
- I shared my frustrations about bedtime. Sadly, nothing has changed there. I’m still as frustrated as ever.
- I wrote one of my very real posts about my back and how I try to stay thankful through the pain. I still try my hardest to be thankful through it, to remember this is a season in life, that one day, hopefully, this too shall pass.

Live.Laugh.L0ve. // My favorite posts from 2014

- I started off the new year with some cute outfits. I really need to get back to documenting my outfits again.
- I opened up about a very hard time in our family, it’s still one of my most “popular” posts. I wish I could say things have gotten better, but they haven’t and I can still only pray that one day they will. I hope this post has helped others know that they are not alone.
- I shared how we made a time for love and I’m so happy we did.

- I finally started putting pictures up in our house. I love the photo wall I created and I still get compliments on it when company comes over.

February

- I celebrated three years of blogging!
- I made a romantic date night basket for my husband and he loved it! I love having date night at home after the kids go to bed.
- I shared our Valentines mantel! I can’t wait to decorate for Valentine’s day again this year!
- I blogged about my boy’s style. I’m thinking about reviving this link up. Should I do it?

- I love the outfits in this post.
- I shared a post called Sh*t that annoys me. Come share some things with me that annoy you!

March

- I wrote about 10 things you wouldn’t know about me from just reading my blog.
- I posted pretty much everything I got in my stitch fix box. I loved it all and wish I could have kept it all!
- I shared my makeup routine. I need to do another one because I have new makeup products that I love.
- I wrote about 7 things your kids will do that will drive you crazy. It’s all still true if you’re wondering. lol.

April

- I shared 7 things that change when you become a parent.
- I opened up about my depression. I think that was still one of the hardest posts I have wrote.

- I did a nail tutorial that I wound up really loving.
- I did a mini photo shoot of my stitch fix box. I really need to take new pictures asap.

May

- I wrote a post about a few things I would have missed if I had been looking down.
- At the end of May, we announced or I should say kage announced, that he was going to be a big brother!

June

- When we found out I was pregnant, I got a lot of “Are you hoping for a girl this time since you already have two boys?” I wrote a response to that answer about why I would be perfectly happy with another boy.
- I wrote a letter to my little Kindergarten graduate!
- There were so many things I never knew about motherhood when I got pregnant for the first time, I wrote a post about the amazing things I never knew about until I became a mom.
- I shared my worries about being pregnant with a messed up back. It was as hard as I imagined and I did wind up on bed rest.

- We found out I was having Twins!
- I shared 5 tips for fun and easy summer days! Summer doesn’t have to be stressful or jam packed!
- I got a little emotional on the blog and talked about how I’m not a convenient friend.

- I did a fun post about what’s in my bag!

July

- I did my first ever hair tutorial and shared how I get my hair from curly to straight!
- I still love this DIY Laugh basket I made for my husband. It was so easy to make and a sure way to make your man smile.
- I opened up about a little parenting frustration I have with the boys.

August

- These kid friendly snack kabobs were a huge hit with my kids. I need to remember to pick up the stuff to make more.
- I made some DIY sharpie chore cards for the boys. I kind of have an obsession with sharpies.
- I shared my 18 week bump update and what we found out the sex of the twins were!
- I wrote about how I was reminded of how lucky I am to have my husband. He is seriously amazing.

September

- We took our first family vacation and I shared 10 of my favorite pictures from vacation.
- After that, I talked about how our first vacation went way better than I imagined it would.
- There was two days during our vacation that I’ll never forget. Hubby and I got to spend some one on one time during vacation and it was truly just amazing. A double rainbow + walking in the rain along the beach was involved.
- I lost Kage in Walmart. It was one of the scariest moments I had ever experienced in my parenting life.

October

- My family threw me a baby shower. It was Dr. Seuss themed and it was so amazing!
- I shared 5 things my kids really need from me. That’s still a favorite post of mine.
- At 28 weeks I wound up in the hospital because my body was trying to go into labor early. I wrote about that experience and getting put on bed rest.
- I wrote about why I will always encourage my kids dreams, always.

November

- I went into labor again at 30 weeks and this time we couldn’t stop it and our twins were born.
- I shared the twins birth story here and here. I wanted to remember everything and I knew writing it down while the memories were still fresh was the only way I was going to be able to.

- Kage turned five years old and we celebrated by throwing him a spider-man birthday party! He loved it.
- I opened up about what it was like to have to leave my babies in the hospital everyday.

- I started my young living essential oils journey series. I kicked it off by sharing my 6 of my favorite oils.

December

- I kicked off December with my essential oils series. I wrote about Joy; why I love it and what it can be used for.
- The boys and I did a super fun craft; Kid friendly snowflakes. We loved making them!
- After 5 long weeks, Kade got to come home.
- I shared what it was like to have to come home without Jax.

- I made a word for the year jar. I love making things when glitter is involved.
- I shared my love for Peppermint oil.
- I shared a super fun mini dr pepper bar! You gotta make your own!
- I wrote about how things were different during Christmas this year and shared some Christmas pictures.

There ya have it! Some of my favorite posts from 2014!

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My Fall Style

October 16, 2013 - 1 Comment

I didn’t plan on skipping a day during the 31 days challenge, but if I have learned anything, it’s that life {including blog life} doesn’t always go according to plan. So, because I am beyond tired and my brain can’t form coherent thoughts right now, I wanted to share my top five favorite fall outfits and then next week, I’ll be showing off a fall outfit. Kind of like I did during summer.

Outfit via Live.Laugh.L0ve. on Pinterest

What is your favorite fall look?

Weekly Recap and A little fall decor

September 27, 2013 - 2 Comments

Happy Saturday. I know I normally don’t post on the weekends, but it’s nice to break the rules you set for yourself every now and again, don’t you agree?

This week went by pretty fast and I am so, so, SO happy that it is the weekend. We haven’t planned anything yet, which I’m okay with because I love spontaneous family plans anyway. What do you have going on this weekend?

All week long, I have been in a major decorating mood. Here is a few little sneak peeks until I reveal everything I have been doing!

I have seen a lot of weekly recaps on some of my favorite blogs and I thought it would be fun to try out. I know I completely miss posts during the week, so it’s nice to have a recap of the week that way I can see which posts I haven’t read from my favorite bloggers.

On the blog:

Monday – I shared a few things I am loving & a few things I’m wishing for.
Tuesday – I gave the spotlight to my sponsors and shared some of my favorite posts from them, there is also a giveaway involved!
Wednesday – I showed off my first fall outfit, I seriously can’t wait until fall weather really sets in.
Thursday – I shared my first DIY washi tape craft – it’s a love mailbox and I think it’s adorable.
Friday – Instead of doing my usual coffee post, I shared a few non joys about being a woman.

Off the blog:

This week was a rough one. Which is probably why I got a lot of crafting/decorating done because I really couldn’t do much else. My back has been killing. I did go see my new doctor this week and he is really great. I’ll be going in for another round of injections soon. Jay did great in school this week and is getting so much better at his writing and his flash cards, it makes me so happy! Kage has also been wanting to learn a lot more and play with me more. He’s been playing on his little vtech, learning sounds and what not, it’s adorable.

Sponsorship:

October is fast approaching, I worked with some amazing ladies this month and I would love to be able to work with some more amazing bloggers and brands in October. Use code FinallyFall15 to get 15% off any ad spot for October. You can view details and ad spots, as well as purchase an ad here.

I’m Writing a Novel

September 9, 2013 - Leave a Comment

Hey friends. I hope your Tuesday is going better than mine! I am almost 100% positive I have the flu and my fingers are crossed I will be getting in to see the doctor today! While I am in no way, shape or form feeling well enough to write a blog post today. My sweet sponsor Cece is taking over my blog & talking about something we very much have in common!

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If you have been reading Cassie’s blog you might already know that she’s writing a novel. Well guess what? I am too.

I never even said it out loud to anyone that writing a novel was something I wanted to do until last year even though it’s been floating around in the back of my mind for a really long time. I mean, you can’t just casually say, “Oh, yeah I want to write a novel.” It just seems so impossible. I mean, who am I to think I am actually capable of such a thing anyways? I love to read and to write. I used to sign up for Summer reading programs at the library. I’ve been writing in journals since I was 9. I used to write stories and enter writing contests in elementary school. It’s always just been something that I love to do but I have no clue if I’m any good at it.

If I’d been true to my heart in college I probably would have majored in creative writing. In retrospect I wish I had. Sociology may have seemed more practical at the time but I’ve never even come close to working in that field so there was really no point. I could have gotten a degree in anything based on where I’m at now. Writing a book has always been a dream of mine but I put it off for so long because I was afraid. I didn’t know where to begin and I was afraid of finding out that I wasn’t capable of it. Eventually, I put some words on paper in 2009 and got a nice start but then I hit a wall. Then life happened. I was too busy with house hunting, wedding planning and post wedded bliss. There was always some excuse.

My resolution for 2012 was to write 15 pages a day and for the most part I stuck with that all last year and into this year. Sometimes I get stumped. I don’t know what I want my characters to do or I find that it feels boring and don’t know what to do to liven things up. When that happens I get a little discouraged and put it aside but at some point I force myself to pull it out and keep writing. Write something. Anything. I keep telling myself that if I just make myself keep going eventually the story will unfold. I keep notes about the characters and a timeline of events as I go so I can keep track of what’s going on. With every page I write I gain more confidence in myself that I might actually be able to finish it.

Even now that I’ve decided I’m doing this the words “my novel” still feel very strange coming out of my mouth. It’s something that a lot of people say they want to do but only a handful ever actually do. I really want to be one of the ones that do. I’m not even worried about whether or not I would get it published or not. I just want to be able to say that it was something big I wanted to do and that I did.

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Girl, I know all about how hard it is to actually put in the work on a novel and how hard it is to put it out there that you are writing one! Cece, I am SO proud of you and I will be cheering you on, on this journey!

Let’s show Cece some love and leave some encouraging words for her! Writing a book really is hard + scary!

This months in-post ad
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Please help little Collin

July 17, 2013 - Leave a Comment

If you could please help out with this heart breaking cause, that would be really great. If you can’t help financially can you please help spread the word about it? Ty so much.

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PLEASE SHARE ON YOUR BLOG!! HELP SPREAD THE WORD!On June 16, 2013, Collin turned 3 years old. He was complaining of back pain so his parents took him into the ER. He was found to have a large tumor on his spine. Collin was sent to the University of Michigan and was found to have brain cancer that spread down his spine. He spent all day on June 17, in surgery at the U of M. Collin’s parents, Jody and Sarah, are respiratory therapists at Covenant Healthcare in Saginaw, Michigan.The staff at Covenant Healthcare would like to start a fund to help Collin’s family through this very difficult time. PayPal donations can be sent to collinnitzfund@gmail.com or through the donation button below:A 20 day fundraiser has also been set-up at Indiegogo. You can donate to the Nitz family through PayPal or with debit/credit cards. This fundraiser can be found here: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-collin-nitz-fund/x/1904769?c=activityPlease take the time to help this family. Thank-you.

This months in-post ad
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Things to do when it’s sunny!

June 28, 2013 - 3 Comments

The past two days we have had nothing but storms, and we are expecting more today. *sigh* Well, all this sitting inside is making me think about all the things I want to do when the sun is shining. So I made a list (I love lists, it’s kind of ridiculous) of the things I want to do when the weather is great, heck I’ll even take when the weather is just good.

1. Walk with the boys twice a day.

2. Let the boys play in their little pool while I lay out and tan.

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3. Take the kids to the park. It’s been awhile sense we got a swing set in our back yard along with other fun stuff for the kids, and while they love being out there, I think it would be good for them to go to a park and play with other little kids.

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Isn’t that a cute park? I don’t know where that’s at but it’s very cute.

4. Plant flowers in the backyard by our porch.

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5. Take the kids to the zoo.

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6. Mainly, as you can tell, just spend lots and lots of time outside.

Any other great ideas for little ones outside? I’m all for hearing ideas.

What about you, what are you planning to do while the sun is shining?

Cassie

you are BEAUTIFUL

May 8, 2013 - 2 Comments

Happy May Speak Now friends, both new and old!

Today is an exciting day for Speak Now

Today, some fabulous ladies have teamed up to link up and tell you that you’re beautiful.

Speak Now is all about beauty from the inside out.

We believe in your dreams + passions. We believe in you.

Today we want you to look in the mirror and tell yourself that you’re beautiful.

Identify what makes you feel beautiful. Make this feeling an obligation in your life.

Today we are here to remind you that you can do anything.

Today and everyday, you are lovely, you are perfect, you are bold, you are unique.

Today and every day- you are beautiful!

Speak Now is a women empowerment organization

built around the philosophy that self-love, self-respect, + self-confidence will make you beautiful.

We empower. We create. We educate. We inspire.

Link your blog up to connect with other bloggers who believe in the empowerment of women and help us spread awareness about the importance of women empowerment!

Once you link up, no community experience would be complete without a little welcome gift! We are giving away a $100 visa gift card and any piece of beautiful jewelry from the Speak Now shop!

So link up, enter our giveaway, take a look at some of our blogging friends, and share our mission with your friends, family, and fellow blogging community.

We are an online community designed to believe in you.

Today, we want you to join our movement.

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HOW TO ENTER OUR GIVEAWAY

& win a $100 visa gift card and a custom jewelry piece from our jewelry store

MANDATORY TO ENTER:

****MUST FOLLOW SPEAK NOW ON EITHER FACEBOOK, TWITTER, OR INSTAGRAM TO ENTER*****

*****MUST LINK UP BLOG BELOW TO ENTER*****

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: +1 for each // Follow Speak Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram – COMMENT FOR EACH + 1 for each // Follow via GFC, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for any of our co-hosts – COMMENT FOR EACH + 1 // Share Speak Now’s I AM BEAUTIFUL May link up with your FB or twitter friends - COMMENT FOR EACH +1 // Spreading the word via status/tweet/instagram post- COMMENT FOR EACH COMMENTS ARE OFF ON ALL WEBSITE’S CO-HOSTING THE EVENT SO YOU CAN HEAD ON OVER TO SPEAK NOW’S WEBSITE AND COMMENT TO ENTER! { WWW.WESPEAKNOW.ORG }

A very special thanks to Aunie of Aunie Sauce, Casey Wiegand, Keri-Anne Pink, and Salena Lee for sponsoring our link up!

This months in-post ad is so sweet + amazing
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A few things

January 26, 2013 - 3 Comments

Happy Saturday friends! I hope your weekend is going great so far!

I wanted to pop in and share a few new things going on around here real quick!

1. My new blog design that I created all by myself. Eeekk!! I am kinda in love with it!

2. If you are in need of a Virtual Assistant, I still have a few client spots left and I would love to help you!

3. I went on a mini sponsor hiatus and after much thought and research I am back with new sponsor options and I am 100% ready to promote you!

That’s all I have for today.
I’ll be back tomorrow with some pretty photos.