Five Favorites .06

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend! Ours was full of some much needed family time and lots of fun. It's been a couple of weeks since I shared Five Favorites but I'm back today to share five things that I am loving lately! Today's list includes a great Amazon find,  a budget friendly must have beauty product, one of my favorite podcasts, my go-to bag, and one of my favorite healthy side dishes from Trader Joe's!

C O L O R F U L K O A L A  L E G G I N G S

I might be one of the only people on the planet who isn't a frequent Amazon shopper. Don't get me wrong, Amazon is super convenient but there's so much on there that it overwhelms me. Even with lots of reviews, I have a hard time deciding if any item is any good and returns aren't my favorite thing to do. Well, I was given an Amazon gift card for my birthday and I needed to put it to use so I decided to get my husband some headphones that he had been wanting (yes, I'm a good wife like that... sometimes) and I got myself a pair of workout leggings. I have been needed a second pair of 7/8 length black leggings for going to the gym and these Colorfulkoala leggings had excellent reviews so I decided to give them a try. Y'all. They are so good! Five stars kind of good. The favorite is soft (they feel just like Lulelemon) and comfortable to wear and the waist is high (holds you in without restricting your ability to breathe). I found them to be pretty true to size but if you are between sizes, I would say to definitely size down because the fabric is very forgiving. Oh and these leggings are only $25!

M A D E  F O R  T H I S  P O D C A S T

As I've mentioned before, I have really been loving podcasts lately. I feel like I spend a lot of my morning in the car so it's been nice to turn a podcast on after I drop the kids off at school. I have been listening to quite a few podcasts lately but one of my very favorite is the Made For This podcast by Jennie Allen. I discovered Jennie's books about four or five years ago through a friend at church. I've read several of her books and I love her writing. She speaks so much truth in her podcast episodes plus she's so very real and honest. If you are looking for a great faith based podcast, I definitely recommend this one! 

I N D I A N  H E A L I N G  C L A Y

This clay is one of my favorite budget friendly finds! It works great as a face mask and I also use it to detox my underarms (I find this to be essential when using an all natural deodorant and you can read more about that in this post). I mix it with apple cider vinegar to make my mask and then I usually leave it on for 15-20 minutes. It's such a great, affordable mask!

M E D I U M  T R A N S P O R T  T O T E

If I had to choose a favorite bag of all-time, it would most definitely be the medium transport tote from Madewell. It's the perfect size for everyday use! It has a crossbody strap as well as handles so you can wear it a variety of different ways. I've had mine for three years and the leather just gets better and better with time. I even got my mom to purchase one of these bags recently because she loved mine so much!

C A U L I F L O W E R  G N O C C I

I try to eat mostly gluten free because I just feel so much better when I do so I'm always looking for new foods to try that are free of gluten. I tried this cauliflower gnocci from Trader Joe's a couple of years ago and now it's one of my favorite side dishes. We used to have to drive 50 minutes to the closest Trader Joe's so I would always stock up and buy at least four or five bags when I went. Now, we have one much closer but at least buy two bags every time we go. My favorite way to prepare it is to thaw it out in the microwave for about 2.5 minutes then I transfer it to a nonstick pan with olive oil. I season the gnocci with salt and pepper and then cook it until golden brown over medium heat. I usually eat it just like that but it's also great with marinara sauce or added to a soup!

Thanks so much for visiting! I hope you have a great day!

Currently Loving .158

Happy Friday! I hope y'all have had a great week! We have a fun weekend planned that includes taking pictures with Santa, starting our Christmas shopping, seeing Frozen 2, and most definitely a Trader Joe's run to restock our favorite items... plus try out some new things, too!

Today, I'm sharing my weekly roundup of what I'm Currently Loving. This week's roundup is a good mix of items that I already own (and I'm loving) plus a few new things that have recently caught my eye. Now that the holidays are upon us, I'm starting to add some fun festive edges to my outfits and of course, a little sparkle! I'm not a red and green kind of girl but I do love some glitter!

Which of this week's picks is your favorite?!

1. J E A N S | I bought these jeans last year and they are still one of my favorite pairs (I also own them in the black wash)! Last fall and winter, I was just over buying cheap denim that didn't last or just didn't fit right. I discovered Everlane and they are now one of my favorite brands for denim! The price is great for really good quality denim. I find them to be true to size.

2. B A G | My favorite leather bag now comes in a zip top version! I bought my bag almost three years ago and it was one of my very first Madewell purchases. Three years later, it's still one of my most used bags and the leather just gets better and better with time. Such a great everyday tote!

3. S N E A K E R S | I wear sneakers everyday, not just to the gym but also for work since I'm on my feet a lot... plus concrete floors. I have been looking for a fun new pair and I am stumbled across this pair. I really love the touch of leopard on the back. So fun!

4. S W E A T E R | How cute are the details on this sweater?! I love the subtle dots! This sweater is a great piece for your fall and winter wardrobe. Dress it up for a holiday party with some sparkle or dress it down for everyday wear with a pair of skinny jeans. It's a budget friendly find, too!

5. T O P | Hello, turtleneck season! I absolutely love layering during the cold weather months and this leopard print turtleneck is perfect for doing just that. I think this would look so cute under a sweater blazer or a black moto jacket!

6. E A R R I N G S | Give me all of the dainty statement earrings! I love earrings that make a statement without being too heavy or bulky. These are just perfect!

7. S T R A P | I got this strap from my friend as a birthday gift and I absolutely love it! I swapped out the strap on my medium transport tote for this fun leopard one and now I can't stop carrying it! It's such a great way to make an old bag feel brand new.

8. H E A D B A N D | I am still really loving headbands and what's even better is that my oldest daughter loves them too. Julianna wears one of these headbands on a daily basis! I am loving this metallic pink one for a fun twist on festive for the holiday season.

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you have a great weekend!

Instagram Roundup .189

Happy Wednesday! I hope you're having a great week so far! Josh and I had an incredible trip to Asheville this past weekend I'll be sharing more about it here on the blog soon. It was so nice to be able to getaway, just the two of us, for a couple of days! I think it was our first date since maybe June. Yep, it was seriously way overdue. Dating your spouse is so important!

Today, I'm sharing my weekly Instagram Roundup, including my outfits from last week. Currently living in neutrals and cozy layers... from now until spring! I used to not be a "jacket person" but I've recently added two new ones to wardrobe and I am loving them! Maybe I wasn't a jacket person before because I just hadn't found the right one. I love the ones that I'm styling below!

This is one of the outfits I wore in Asheville over the weekend. I am absolutely loving this cozy jacket! I sized up to a medium to make it a little more roomy for layering sweaters this winter. This jacket is going to get so much wear! I love it!

And... the other jacket I recently bought! This is such a great, everyday jacket. I got the pink color because I wanted to add a little color to my cold weather wardrobe. The fit is true to size, it's only $35, and it's such a warm jacket. See, I'm a jacket person now!

I am loving this photo by Lindsey Gettig from the Lacole photo shoot! Kailey makes gorgeous boho jewels for big girls and little girls. My girls are in love with their sets from her!

I call this legit mom style because it has all of the elements for the person mom uniform. High waisted leggings, slip on shoes, a cozy cardigan, oversized tee, and a crossbody bag!

I am loving the combination of brown and black in this look! I recently got this $12 turtleneck (I sized up one size for a little more room) and it's such a great closet basic for a great price.

September Ocean made this custom watercolor print for me earlier in the year and I wanted to share it again because it would make the perfect gift this holiday season. She can take any photo and turn it into a watercolor print! It would be so fun to turn old family pictures into watercolor!

Thank you so much for visiting! I hope you have a great day!

Currently Loving .157

Happy Friday! I hope you've had a great week! I celebrated my 34th birthday yesterday and in case you missed it, I shared 34 things about me, here on the blog. The celebrations aren't over yet because my husband and I are headed to Asheville this weekend to stay at the Omni Grove Park Inn! I've always wanted to stay there and we are finally getting the chance this weekend. I'm not even sure when we had our last date night (maybe back in June?!) so this is certainly overdue and much needed! I'm really looking forward to some true relaxation this weekend!

Today, I'm sharing my weekly roundup of what I'm Currently Loving! It's been so cold here lately that all I've been wanting to do is layer up in as many layers as possible to stay warm. This week's picks includes pieces to do just that... but in the most stylish way possible!

Which of this week's picks is your favorite?!

1. C A R D I G A N | How cute is this cardigan from BohoBlu?! I absolutely love the relaxed fit and the details! This cardigan can be layered over all your favorite tees and turtlenecks to stay cozy this fall and winter season. I am also really loving the color of this cardigan. It's so pretty!

2. N E C K L A C E | I am a huge fan of dainty necklaces like this one! The stars caught my eye because our logo at the non-profit I work at includes a star. This would be such a great everyday necklace for work and beyond!

3. B A G  | I already own a super similar bag to this one and I absolutely love it. I carry it all of the time and it's also featured in this recent blog post. This is such a great, budget friendly find and it's only $15! Such a fun (and inexpensive) way to add a little leopard to your look!

4. J E A N S | I absolutely love this brand of jeans! It's in my top 3 of all-time favorites. I already own a very similar pair of jeans to these (same exact style but slightly different wash) and I wear them as often as possible. Such a flattering pair of denim! I always stick true to size because they are a true denim and break in as you wear them. Also, I rarely wash them (or any of my jeans) unless they really need to be washed. Denim lasts so much longer, the less often you wash it.

5. C O A T | I am absolutely loving this coat! I just got it in the mail yesterday and I can tell you first hand how amazing it is! Super soft and super cozy. I love it so much that it's already packed and ready to go for our trip this weekend! I sized up one size to the medium for a little extra room for layering over my thicker sweaters.

6. P U F F E R  J A C K E T | I bought this jacket last weekend and I think I've worn it every single day this week! For $35, I wasn't really sure how warm it would even be but it's so super warm! I haven't been cold at all when I've worn this jacket. I found the fit to be true to size and it comes in tons of beautiful colors!

7. T O P | I have been loving the look of a buttoned cardigan as a top but I haven't really found one that I loved for me... until now! I am loving this one so much! I have birthday money burning a whole in my pocket and this top is high on my wish list.

8. S W E A T S H I R T | Speaking of my wish list, this fun sweatshirt also made my list! I am loving the print and the style of this one. It would be so cute styled with jeans and white sneakers for a casual look or you could dress it up with heels for a night out. So cute!

Thank you so much for visiting! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

34 Things About Me for My 34th Birthday

Happy Thursday AND Happy Birthday to Me! In celebration of my birthday, today, I'm sharing 34 things about me because it's my 34th birthday. Thanks so much to the talented Lindsey Getting Photography (if you're local, I would totally recommend her) for the photos in this post and Kailey from Lacole (she made the beautiful necklace I'm wearing in all of these photos)! 

1. I started this blog back in 2009 when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter. I just started it as a way to document my pregnancy. It has had at least four different names but obviously the current name is my favorite! I feel like it sums up my life pretty perfectly as I try to live my life with style and a whole lot of grace!

2. My favorite color has always been pink. If there's a pink option, it's mine!

3. I absolutely love to workout. I never thought that would be true for me but finally at age 34, I find exercise to be fun. I finally found a workout that works for me and that I actually enjoy. It's also such a great remedy for my anxiety and stress. I try to get to the gym five days a week but even if I can't, I try to move my body in some way for at least 30 minutes. I go for walks or do an easy yoga routine via YouTube when I can't get to the YMCA.

4. Sweets are one of my weaknesses. I have to have something sweet after pretty much every meal.

5. I really only listen to Christian music except for a few other artist country/pop artists. I want my music to be positive and uplifting. 

6. I have been married to my husband since 2008 (we got married when I was 22). We just celebrated eleven years married in June!

7. I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (also in 2008; it was a very busy year for me) with a degree in Elementary Education. I always wanted to be a teacher when I was a little girl. It was my dream come true!

8. I love traveling! We went to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for our honeymoon and we celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary in Cozumel, Mexico. This past summer, we took the girls to Puerto Rico and that trip is one of my most favorite memories. We all loved it!

9. My family owns their own small business of six convenience stores. I worked at one of them throughout college. I learned a lot through that experience and it taught me how to work hard. But, I really do not miss those long shifts and being in customer service.

10. I don't like surprises. They stress me out. Also, it's super hard to surprise me! I figure out surprises without really trying. I'm very intuitive! I even picked out my own birthday gift this year.

11. My husband and I have been together (officially) since November of 2006, almost thirteens years. He's still my best friend!

12. My three top places that I want to visit are Italy, Greece, and Hawaii. We have a savings account setup for a trip to Europe, hopefully within the next four to five years.

13. I love living in central North Carolina because the mountains or the beach are just a few hours away. I love them both but the beach is my happy place! We also are not far from lots of a great cities with so many fun things to do. Day trips are our favorite! We are always looking for fun new places to try out and places to visit. Adventure is our favorite!

14. I bought the second wedding dress I tried on. It didn't even fit me and I had to have it tailored down three sizes since it was the only one available. I just knew it was the one! I am very decisive when it comes to big decisions. When I know, I know.

15. I'm an enneagram one with balanced wings. I am such a rule follower and a total one! I also really identify with both of my wings; I've always been a peacemaker and helper in my life.

16. I taught third grade for four years. I resigned from my position to spend more time at home with my children when I had my second daughter. I always wanted to be a teacher and a mommy! 

17. I serve once a month at my church in the tech booth. I run the computer which basically means I run videos, lyrics, and sermon notes. I've been doing this for over five years! We've been at our church since 2010. Our church also happens to be two minutes from our house and it's also where I work (but I don't work for the church; my job is a separate non-profit).

18. I have lived in North Carolina all of my life. I love my home state!

19. Flowers make me ridiculously happy. Especially if they are pink! I'm the crazy person taking photos of flowers everywhere I go.

20.  I worked at a grocery store when I was in high school and I loved it. Scanning groceries was my favorite. Yes, I'm weird!

21. I am currently obsessed with oat milk lattes. They are so creamy and not overly sweet. I love sweets but I don't like my coffee to be too sweet.

22. I currently work at a non-profit afterschool enrichment program called The Dream Center as the STEM Coordinating Facilitator and I just began my eighth year there. I love my job! It's literally a dream and I am so thankful for the rewarding work that I get to do each day! When I resigned from my third grade teaching position, I really had no idea what would be next for me. I thought I would be a stay at home mom for the next few years but God had other plans. Life happened and I needed to go back to work. Thankfully, God brought me the perfect work/life balance at The Dream Center and a fantastic forever friend! 

23. I'm definitely a dog person. They are the best! We have two dogs. Maggie, a twelve year old Beagle mix and just such a great dog. So sweet and super smart! We also have Jethro (also known Jet), who we recently adopted from our local animal shelter back in April. He's been such a great addition to our family! It's been challenging at times but he's such a great dog, too. I highly recommend adopting your next pet from the animal shelter. They need so much love!

24. I began my "fashion blogging" with thrifted outfits that I put together from local thrift stores and the Goodwill. I actually started doing this when I was pregnant with Olivia (in 2011) and was trying to make my regular clothes work as maternity clothes. It was (and still is) a creative outlet for me.

25. The first place Josh and I went together was Woods of Terror (a haunted trail) and he proposed at the same place almost exactly one year later. Also, a fun fact, I hate anything haunted or scary. I have never gone back to anything haunted since we got engaged. It gives me major anxiety! I cannot watch horror movies. They're so awful to me!

26. I have two brothers and I'm the youngest.

27. I have absolutely no self control when it comes to chips and salsa or Chick-Fil-A waffle fries. I need all of the Chick-Fil-A sauce! I love to eat!

28. My favorite holiday is Christmas but I can't get excited about it until at least November 15 (the day after my birthday). I can't wait to put up my tree!

29. My front door is pink and it's one of my favorite things about our home. So many people ask me how Josh feels about having a pink front door... he doesn't mind at all! I think he actually loves it because it makes our subdivision house a little more exciting, lol.

30. I'm one-fourth Cherokee, my kids are one-fourth Puerto Rican, and Josh is half Puerto Rican.

31. This isn't really a "fun fact" at all but it is apart of who I am. This year, my parents separated after being married for thirty-eight years. It's been one of the hardest things I have gone through but I have seen God's goodness during this season. I have grown closer to God through this experience. This season has taught me to cling tighter to my own husband and seek God's guidance in our marriage. 

32. I always wanted to be a girl mom. It was literally my dream to have two little girls! The names Julianna and Olivia (even though I've always loved this name) were actually never on my list for potential names but they fit my girls perfectly.

33. I didn't drink coffee until I become a mother (when I was 24) and now it's one of my favorite parts of my day. Coffee and quiet time is the best!

34. We are planning to go on another big trip this summer with our girls. We are thinking we want to take them to either Jamaica or Costa Rica!

S H O P  T H E  P O S T:

S W E A T E R
J E A N S | similar
N E C K L A C E
M U L E S
E A R R I N G S

Thank you so much for stopping by to celebrate with me! Have a great day!

Instagram Roundup .188

Happy Wednesday! I hope your week is going well so far! Josh is taking me to Asheville (just the two of us) this weekend to celebrate my birthday and I'm so excited. I have started packing and I'm hoping to be finished today. This is not typical for me at all! I am usually a very last minute packer and I'm usually standing in my closet 30 minutes before we have to leave, deciding on what I outfits I want to take with me. Haha! I'm also usually a major over packer. I like options! 

Today, I'm sharing my weekly Instagram Roundup, including all of my outfits from last week. I am absolutely loving getting dressed for fall! Gimme all of the cozy sweaters and layers!

On Saturday, we visited Divine Llama Vineyards and it just never disappoints! This was our third time there and probably my most favorite visit. There were so many precious newborn llamas! So cute! Olivia and I even got this great photo with a very photogenic llama. Such a fun day!

I wore this outfit to be a guest for a local high school's DECA club last week. I bought this sweater blazer last year and it's still one of my favorite pieces in my closet! It's cozy while still getting your outfit a put together and polished look.

How cute are these girls?! We had the best time participating in a photo shoot for a local, handmade jewelry line. I'll be sharing more about that next week!

This outfit is from yesterday's blog post and it might be my favorite of the week. I love this sweater and boot combination. All of the fall vibes!

These boots have taken me on all kinds of fun adventures! They are seriously super comfortable and a great affordable option. The fit is true to size.

Yes to leggings and cozy sweaters! This sweater is from last year but this year's version is super similar. It runs big but that's what I love about it! I always love my sweaters to be oversized.

And last but not least, a selfie with my favorite guy. 

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you have a great day!