Life After I "Dew"

Back by popular demand!  Peace tees!  

Did you miss your chance to order one last time?  See your favorite blogger wearing one and thought, "Damn she looks good!  I want to look awesome too!"?  Buy one and think it was so cute you want another?  

Well the wait is over!  We are now taking orders for peace tees again!  

Just check out some of my favorite ladies rocking theirs!

Jenn Sommer's little girl got in on the action, Kodi, Kari Beth, Sarah, Mandy, Kristen, Jenn, and yours truly.

Are you sold yet?

Same deal as last time: 

And that's it!  I hope to see many more Instagram pics of everyone rocking out in their tees!

When the kind people at Klutchclub contacted me I was all, "Klutch what?".  And then they proceeded to tell me that they have a health and wellness box that they send out every month.  Ok, Ok, I'm listening. These boxes are worth over $50 and only cost $16-18 a month!  You get all kinds of cool things like fitness products, supplements, and skincare products! Pretty cool if you ask me!  

This months box came and I was pretty excited!

I just had the Think Thin bars today {on my way to story time} and I loved it!  So good and only 190 calories so it was a substantial breakfast.  But...the coconut water?  I'm not on board.  I've heard so many good things about coconut water and my all time favorite Big Brother cast mate, Danielle, used to rave about it on the show but this is something I cannot get in to.  Sorry.  I am excited to use my $25 off coupon to Moving Comforts though, mama needs a new sports bra!

Right now if you use code KLUTCHfriend you can get 10% off your membership, whether you pick one month or a year!  How cool is that?

Make sure you check them out on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on any promos or discounts {like free lip balm}!

This week I'm saying SO WHAT if...

• I've already got the invitations for Kendall's party addressed and ready to send.
• The countdown is on, exactly 16 more days until I see her sweet ass face.
• Kendall and I had to have Toms and we've both only wore them a handful of times.
• I talked about going #2 on the blog yesterday.
• I get a little bit embarrassed every time someone I know IRL tells me they read this blog.
• I also get a little bit flattered.
• Hot dogs and mac & cheese is easily one of my favorite dinners.
• Speaking of food, I swore I was going to start watching my calories again this week and then I saw the sign at the local ice cream shop.  Sea Salt Caramel is BACK, you bet your bottom dollar I stopped.
• I have totally slacked on the 300 Ab Challenge, I'm back on it hardcore this week!
• I made a to-do list this morning and have done exactly nothing on it.

Every week SO WHAT! Wednesday grows.  It grows and grows and grows, every week.  I am always shocked by the number of link-ups and every week I really try to read {and hopefully respond} to a lot, if not all, of the link-ups.  I try.  It doesn't always happen but most of the time I read them, if nothing else.  

So to show my love and reciprocate I want to start participating in more link-ups on a regular basis.  There are some good ones out there, way better than my bitch-fest, and I want to get them to grow as much as SWW has for me.

A couple weeks ago my friend Jennifer linked up with Allyce for Is That Normal Tuesdays. I thought it was so fun and such a neat,new idea and I knew I had to link-up.  It's kinda like the Stars Are Just Like US section of US Weekly, well at least that's how I see it anyway.  

Perhaps "must haves" isn't the best term but these are some products that get me through the summer months.  Things I love that make my summer better, me prettier, and my home smell great.
 Hair

I am so glad to be back to my roots blonde this summer.  Blondes have more fun, right?  Especially in the summer. Just something about blonde hair and bronze skin that makes me happy.  Superficial?  Yes, absolutely.  But one thing that is not awesome about being blonde in the summer, and there's just one reason, is discoloration from swimming and such.  No one likes blonde with a tint of chlorine green, no one.  That's where Aveda Blue Malva comes in.

Face

Pretty sure I've already shared my love for this before but it's worth repeating.  I love love love bronzer.  I just started using it about a year ago and find myself asking why it took so long.  It just gives you such a nice glow and makes the need for foundation almost nonexistent.  I've tried a couple over the past year but Avon's Glowdacious by mark is my favorite, and I'm not just saying that.

  

Body

Because I am not a fan of skin cancer, and being a toddler mom doesn't leave much time for laying out poolside, I have been forced to do the fake bake.  And no I'm not talking about tanning beds, who do I look like, Tan Mom?  Anywho, I've tried a slew of lotions, some smell, some leave you streaky or worse yet, orange.  No gracias.  Well welcome to your life L'Oreal Sublime.

It is the best for instant gratification.  It's bronze in color which helps eliminate the "did I put some there?" factor.  It works almost immediately too, this is the stuff I use if I have somewhere to go today or am wearing neon pink shorts right now.  It's bees knees and doesn't smell too bad.  I remember I used it when I was pregnant and people couldn't believe my "glow" and literally asked if I had been tanning.   As if!

Home

Scentsy is all the rage right now, if you haven't picked up a warmer and at least 5 scents by now you are living in a cave.  Truth.  It's perfect for mamas of toddlers because it doesn't warm above body temperature so there is no risk of burning or catching your house on fire.  Win, win.  I recently bought a bunch of summer scents and I'm so glad I did.  My house smells like the beach, summer, tropical vacations every day.
Skinny Dippin, Coconut Lemon Chiffon, Coconut Lemongrass, and Camu Camu are four of my favorites I've picked up this year.  I think it's safe to say I'm addicted and think everyone needs to own at least one, if not all, of these scents.  Lucky for me Jimmy loves this stuff too so I don't get in trouble for buying more!more!more!

So those are some of my summer must-haves!  What are you loving this summer?

Speaking of summer must haves, you MUST have a camera to document all your fun summer-ness.  Well head over to GroopDealz {one of my favorite discount sites!} and enter to win a Nikon D3100 DSLR!  The contest ends tomorrow at noon so go NOW!

OK so Sister Wives isn't necessarily quality, educational programming, I get that.  But if you get past the weirdness of someone else sleeping with your husband and being on a 4 day rotation with 3 other ladies, they really have some great values.

I was recently watching the Q & A episode and one of the questions asked was about the wives and Kody being mad at each other and if there is ever a time where they are all happy.  Makes sense considering the 4:1 ration between wives and husband, I think a natural to think that they probably fight a lot. Robyn's answer really struck me and stuck with me. 

She said that growing up in a polygamist house her mom taught her that since your time is so limited with your husband {due to that 4 day rotation} there is no time to dwell on the small things.  Since the time spent together is short-lived instead of focusing on something petty focus on what is good.  That's not to say that there isn't any fighting, arguing or upsetting behavior but instead of worrying about who didn't do x,y, and z focus on what they did do.

Wow.  

I mean I'm not saying I'm going to run off and get a sister wife tomorrow {although some days it does sound quite nice} but this applies to monogamous relationships as well. 

Our time, all of us, is limited. We never know what is in store for our future.  Today we're here but tomorrow is not promised.  

I am guilty of nitpicking, complaining, crying over spilled milk if you will.  Jimmy has pointed it out to me on more than one occasion, how embarrassing.  I have a great life, beautiful home, wonderful family and yet I will complain about the trash being full or the fact that he wants to watch Star Wars for the 855,889,065th time. Stupid stuff, really.
So after that episode of SW I sat on the floor {as I was doing my 300} and thought, wow.  I thought how that can be applied to everyone but most importantly me.  I know I am a work in progress but sometimes it just takes hearing someone say just the right thing {even if it's from a reality show} to make it click.
So last night when I felt like a chicken with my head cut off, bathing KP, PJing her, getting the milk, etc and I saw him talking on the phone and laughing I just bit my tongue.  Was I annoyed?  Sure, but he had worked all day and was doing the laundry at the same time so it's not like he was just doing nothing.  I was just feeling overwhelmed in the moment and so instead of saying something I might regret, I remembered Robyn's words.
This is obviously one of those easier said than done sorta things but something that is worth working on.
Have you ever heard a quote {or such} that made you stop what you were doing and really think?

So it's summer {my favorite season} and what says summer more than swimming!  pools!  beaches!  bathing suits!

If you're like me you live for the warmer days, the hotter the better.  This summer is a bit different as I have a toddler so my days of lounging by the pool and working on my tan are long gone.  Also long gone?  My days of super cute designer swimwear.  These days it's all about functionality and CHEAP!

BUT I did work hard to get back in shape this summer so I've become slightly obsessed with bathing suits this year.  When SwimSpot contacted me about reviewing their website and trying a new suit I was all, "OMG I just won the bathing suit lottery!"  You see SwimSpot has loads of adorable women's swimwear, including suits andcover ups, and they even have some for the littles too!

Here's the other thing, they have fancy suits.  Like Ella Moss, Hurley, Reef, Splendid, you name it they have all the hottest looks!  And they have this amazing bikini builder that lets you virtually pick a suit based on your body shape so you have an idea what it will look like before you even get it!  How cool is that?  They've made bathing suit shopping virtually seamless!

What suit did I chose?  Glad you asked.

This one is by Reef and I am in love!  I love the pattern, it's fun it's trendy and most importantly it's not pink{every other suit I own is pink}.  Oh and check it!  It's reversible!  So basically I got two suits for the price of one!  WOOHOO!  It fits great too.  I like that it has the ties on the bottoms because it's totally adjustable and the top crisscrosses in the back which is nice because I feel like it offers more support to the girls that way.

Now, here's the fun part!  YOU get the chance to win a $50 SwimSpot gift card! 

Here's what you do:

I'm linking up with Mandy for another week of Stop & Smell the Roses Wednesday because I have some exciting news to share that is making me smile very big this week.

So...yeah.  Sorry mom.  

This week I'm saying SO WHAT if...

Life is good right now.  Really good. Blame it on the long summer days.  The warm nights sipping some wine with a great man.  The endless smiles from a happy park-loving girl.  I call it pure awesomeness.

I love that this summer I'm actually getting to enjoy every minute because I'm not dreading going to work and then spending all days inside when all I want to do is be outside.  Some days I find myself not wanting to leave the house just because it's so!much!work! with a toddler and then I'm quickly reminded how all I wanted last summer was to take her to the park or the pool or a nature hike or anything outside but I was stuck in a cubicle.
The other day I was reminded of this when Kendall wanted me to push her around in her doll stroller for the millionth time and my back was over it! I told her "no more" and lied that the stroller was broken.  Then I remembered that that is something so small that I can do for her but it makes her SO happy.  And so I told her to hop in and took her on one last spin. And you know what?  That was all she needed, she didn't ask for another ride after that.
It's the little things.
I was driving past my old workplace tonight, right around the time I'd be getting off, and I was so glad to 1. not be stuck in that traffic and 2. be headed to get ice cream with my family instead of just getting home.  We've been eating dinner much earlier these days {except when Jimmy has school} and it makes our evenings seem so much longer and less stressful. Now we have time to go get ice cream or to the park at night and that is the stuff I live for.
This weekend was full of lots of friends and family time too and we needed that.  Jimmy's been working side jobs just as much as he works his real job and it's really been taking a toll on him {and me}.  A few weeks ago he finished his last side job and said that it would be his last for a while.  I don't know which of us was more relieved.  Since then we've been doing a lot more family oriented things and it's been worth more than the side job money could ever be.
I've really started to soak up each day lately.  I'm not sure what it is but something in me has changed, made me more sentimental and I like it. I feel like my relationship with my friends has improved lately and we are closer.  I definitely feel like the bond with Kendall has gotten stronger.  As for me and Jimmy?  I feel like we're in a better place today than we've ever been.
This is what life is about, enjoying the moments.  This is where I'm meant to be and I couldn't be happier.

On top of just being plain awesome, this weekend got me back into my cooking groove. I love to cook.  And bake for that matter. I love being in the kitchen, trying new recipes, I'm in my zone there.  Jimmy will sometimes "complain" that I try too many new recipes because sometimes it means we eat something really good but then we never eat it again because I'm so eager to try the next.  I'm working on that.  

This weekend I we hosted Father's Day at our house which got me excited because 1. I just love having people over and 2. I love a good excuse to make dessert {Jimmy's not really big on sweets}.

One thing Jimmy does love is fruit desserts, pies, cobblers and such.  But his favorite? It's the thing I make the best, fruit pizza!  Seriously the best summer dessert you could possibly think of.  Fresh fruit makes it healthy too, no?
The best part? It's super easy.  Ready?
All you need is:
Package of store bought sugar cookie dough
2 Tbsp butter melted
1 Tbsp sugar
Roll dough on a greased cookie sheet, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar.  Bake according to package, about 12 minutes.
In a bowl mix:
8 oz cream cheese
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Once the cookie has cooled spread the "frosting" on top.
For the toppings you can pretty much use any fruits you want.  This time I went for strawberries, pineapple, kiwi, grapes and blueberries and, seriously, it was perfect.  I would have liked to add some banana but, as you can see, there was no room for that.
I've seen recipes that call for a cool whip type "frosting" or even pudding ones, and I am here to tell you that this one kicks the others where it counts.  I promise you can't go wrong here.
And it's so pretty, I mean right?  All that color!  It's a definite crowd pleaser.  I know every time I mention making it I get begged {practically} and then when I come through it's nothing but raves.
Surprisingly we had some left over {can you believe that?!} so I know what I'll be having for breakfast today.  It's fruit, right!?
Enjoy!

It's that time again!  Time to claim your spot on L.A.I.D. for the month of July!  Get in while the gettings good.  Here's the deets...

In case you think this is another "Wahh, wahh,wahh , I don't have anything to blog about" post I can assure you- it's not!

There are some things that I want to address, things that are on my mind, in reference to blogging.  Please read on.

And off my soapbox I go.  

This week I'm saying SO WHAT if...

I'm weird because...

I like saltines with cream cheese.

I'm a bad friend because...

I'm a good friend because...

I'm sad because...

I'm happy because...

I'm excited for...

I saw this on Little Miss Momma and thought it was a fun little prompt and I am feeling "blank" these days, so, yeah.

Boy are you girls in for a treat today!

When Kelly contacted me about doing a Nerium review and giveaway I have to admit, I was all, "Neri-What?".  I had never heard of it so I quickly went to her site to read more.  I must say, the results had me sold and I immediately replied, "YES!". She over-nighted the product to me and I started using it that night.

NeriumAD is a face cream that you use every night.  The results have been amazing.  NeriumAD Age-Defying Treatment was formulated to improve the appearance of:

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Hyperpigmentation

Skin Texture

Aging or Sun-Damaged Skin

It is ideal for all skin types.  Non-Comedogenic and Paraben Free.

Now I must admit, I have been graced with pretty good genetics as far as the skin department goes {for the most part}.  So I was a little nervous that I wasn't going to be a good candidate for the product just because I don't have wrinkles, age spots, sagging skin {yet} but I wanted to give it a try. 

One thing I loved right away was the smell!  You know how some skin care products can smell like chemicals?  Or overly fragrant?  This stuff smells like cucumber!  It's nice and mild and goes away within minutes of putting it on but I like that it's a natural smell.  I also like that you can feel it working right away.  Damp your face and hands, apply 4-5 pumps and you can feel your face tightening almost immediately.  But don't worry it's not a burning, "my face is on fire" kind of tightening.  It's just enough to know that it's doing what it's supposed to.

The proof is in the pudding though so, without further ado, before and after.

Minus my 13-year-old breakouts in both sets of pics...I can feel a big difference!  I took both without makeup on so you could get the real results behind this great product.  I look WAY less tired now than I did in the first picture!  I never ever thought that I'd notice a change!  I'm only 29, so I don't have sagging skin yet!  Right? So I thought!  Looking at these before and afters was an eye opener for sure!  I notice the change the most under my eyes.  The bags are basically gone and I just think I look more rested and refreshed and youthful!  I'm sold!

Now it's your chance to experience this amazing product!

Leave me ONE comment for EACH entry and a winner will be picked next week!

This blog has been pretty much all "fluff" lately, right?  iPhone pics galore, SWW as usual, and really no useful content {minus the 30 Day/300 Ab Challenge link up party, I was really excited about that}.  BUT that's because I'm trying to figure out me.
***

I'm trying to unplug a little more these days.  Jimmy made a comment about my phone never leaving my hands and it made me sad. I was always connected. It is annoying.  I see that now. I would be irritated beyond belief if the tables were turned and I'm glad he pointed that out to me.  So the evenings are reserved for my family now. No phone calls, no Twitter, less Instagram {because I have to document, right?} and more time being together. It's been really nice, I must say.
***

I'm trying to be a better wife.  Now that I'm at home I really want to make the most of my days and that means making Jimmy's life easier.  Whether that means always making sure his Under Armor under-roos are clean or packing up his veggies and Power Bars for lunch, I want him to benefit from me being home too.  I already know he benefits as in our child is being well taken care of but he needs to be "taken care of" as well.  That's my focus right now and I can say that 4 days into this new attitude and I feel better {and I hope he does too} already and I only hope each day improves us.
***

Speaking of being home, I feel so great about the decision to stay home now. I mean not that I wasn't excited when I walked out of Thirty-One for the last time but now we are in a groove and Kendall is learning more than ever and it's just very reassuring.  I know now that this is where I was meant to be.  I also love that my mother-in-law gets to be a grandma {Gigi} now.  She's no longer the daycare provider or surrogate mama while I'm at work, she can actually dote on Kendall like a grandma should.  It's pretty awesome.
***

The entire week of Memorial Day I had a lingering headache, like all week long.  I'd take a Tylenol and nada. At night I tried the PM version and still woke up with it. It wasn't a migraine, it was just there and annoying.  I figured it was due to the lack of sleep I've been getting lately.  Sure Kendall sleeps through the night {most nights} now so I can't blame it {entirely} on her.  But I will blame it on the dogs, the husband, the things that go bump in the night, seriously anything wakes me these days.  I'd say, on average, I'm up 3 times a night.  I don't sleep more than 2.5 hours at a time.  Can you say enough already?!  So I've been taking 3mg of Melatonin at night and while I still wake up {my bladder is the size of a pea} I feel like I've been sleeping much more restfully and wake up feeling refreshed.  Oh, and that headache?  It's gone!
***
I'm working on being the best me I can be, basically.  I'm trying to make more time for myself to do constructive things with my time, like reading instead of watching TV. In fact, I have read 3 {almost 4} books this year already, which is exactly 4 more than I've read in the past 2-3 years {maybe even longer}.  I have straight up abandoned some shows altogether and it actually feels pretty good. My next step is canceling cable but I'm so freaking scared because canceling cable means no more DVR.  It also means an extra $80 a month so that is{kinda} worth it, right?
***
I've caught the fever recently.  I blame my pregnant BFF for being so cute and my other BFF who's 3 and 5-year-old daughter's bond makes it hard to not want that for KP.  I'm not 100% sold on the idea but it's definitely been on my mind a lot more lately.  Of course this is a family decision and I suppose I should consult my husband but yeah...right now I'm thinking it may be an option.
***
If you made it this far in this post you deserve a medal.  Thank you for humoring me and have yourself a fantastic weekend.

Today I'm linking up with Liz for My Life In An Instagram.  Let's face it, Instagram is the best app out there.  It makes me feel like a photographer with their fancy filters and blur capabilities.  It's safe to say if it weren't for Instagram I'd probably not have any pics of my child, truth city.
 1.  I swear, if it weren't for my uber 80s looking parents I may have thought that was KP and not myself.  Mini me much?
2.  Jimmy and I had a day date last Friday and went to the Memorial Golf Tournament.  It was FA-REEZING and rainy but we made the best of it {with the help of our friend Captain Morgan}.
3.  Kendall finally got to wear my favorite clippie EVER this week and about halfway through the day my mother-in-laws puppy ate it.  Super sads.
4.  We had a chilly rainy day earlier this week.  The kind where you stay in jammies all day and make games out of blankets and clothes baskets.  Fun!
5.  This past weekend we had friends over, a 5, 3 and 1-year-old and the playroom looked like this the next day.  If that's not a sure sign of a good night I don't know what is.
6.  Hot pink+chambray= new favorite outfit.
7.  Mr. Cheater, Cheater Pumpkin Eater himself, Tiger Tiger Woods y'all.
8.  Sunday Funday family photo.
9. My attempt at a Pinterest outfit recreation in the Men's Warehouse dressing room.  Meh.